Bi-stable vocal fold adduction: A mechanism of modal-falsetto register shifts and mixed registration

PubMed Central

Titze, Ingo R.

2014-01-01

The origin of vocal registers has generally been attributed to differential activation of cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles in the larynx. Register shifts, however, have also been shown to be affected by glottal pressures exerted on vocal fold surfaces, which can change with loudness, pitch, and vowel. Here it is shown computationally and with empirical data that intraglottal pressures can change abruptly when glottal adductory geometry is changed relatively smoothly from convergent to divergent. An intermediate shape between large convergence and large divergence, namely, a nearly rectangular glottal shape with almost parallel vocal fold surfaces, is associated with mixed registration. It can be less stable than either of the highly angular shapes unless transglottal pressure is reduced and upper stiffness of vocal fold tissues is balanced with lower stiffness. This intermediate state of adduction is desirable because it leads to a low phonation threshold pressure with moderate vocal fold collision. Achieving mixed registration consistently across wide ranges of F0, lung pressure, and vocal tract shapes appears to be a balancing act of coordinating laryngeal muscle activation with vocal tract pressures. Surprisingly, a large transglottal pressure is not facilitative in this process, exacerbating the bi-stable condition and the associated register contrast. PMID:25235006

Hydrogeology of the surficial and intermediate aquifers of central Sarasota County, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Duerr, A.D.; Wolansky, R.M.

1986-01-01

The geohydrologic units underlying a 300 sq mi area in central Sarasota County, Florida, consist of the surficial aquifer, intermediate aquifers (Tamiami-upper Hawthorn and lower Hawthorn-upper Tampa aquifers) and confining units, the Floridan aquifer system, and the sub-Floridan confining unit. The saturated thickness of the surficial aquifer ranges from about 40 to 75 ft and the water table is generally within 5 ft of land surface. The Tamiami-upper Hawthorn is the uppermost intermediate aquifer. The top of the aquifer ranges from about 50 ft to about 75 below sea level and has an average thickness of about 100 ft. The lower Hawthorne-upper Tampa aquifer is the lowermost intermediate aquifer. The top of the aquifer ranges from about 190 to about 220 ft below sea level and its thickness ranges from about 200 to 250 ft. The quality of water in the surficial and the two intermediate aquifers is acceptable for potable use except near the coast. Water from the Floridan aquifer system is used primarily for agricultural purposes because it is too mineralized for most other uses; therefore, the surficial and intermediate aquifers are developed for water supply. The artesian pressure of the various aquifers generally increases with depth. A more detailed geohydrologic description is presented for the Ringling-MacArthur Reserve, a 51 sq mi area in the central part of the county that may be used by Sarasota County as a future water supply. Average annual rainfall is 56 inches and evapotranspiration is about 42 in at the Reserve. The area has a high water table, many sloughs and swamps, and undeveloped land, making it an attractive site as a potential source of water. (Author 's abstract)

The optimum intermediate pressure of two-stages vapor compression refrigeration cycle for Air-Conditioning unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambarita, H.; Sihombing, H. V.

2018-03-01

Vapor compression cycle is mainly employed as a refrigeration cycle in the Air-Conditioning (AC) unit. In order to save energy, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the need to be improved. One of the potential solutions is to modify the system into multi-stages vapor compression cycle. The suitable intermediate pressure between the high and low pressures is one of the design issues. The present work deals with the investigation of an optimum intermediate pressure of two-stages vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Typical vapor compression cycle that is used in AC unit is taken into consideration. The used refrigerants are R134a. The governing equations have been developed for the systems. An inhouse program has been developed to solve the problem. COP, mass flow rate of the refrigerant and compressor power as a function of intermediate pressure are plotted. It was shown that there exists an optimum intermediate pressure for maximum COP. For refrigerant R134a, the proposed correlations need to be revised.

Characterization of ultrafast laser-ablation plasma plumes at various Ar ambient pressures

DOE PAGES

Diwakar, P. K.; Harilal, S. S.; Phillips, M. C.; ...

2015-07-30

Expansion dynamics and internal plume structures of fs laser ablated brass plasma in Ar at various pressure levels ranging from vacuum to atmospheric were studied using multitude of diagnostic tools including time resolved and time integrated 2-dimensional imaging, optical time of flight measurements and visible emission spectroscopy. Temporal evolution of excited Cu and Zn species in the plume were imaged using band pass interference filters and compared its hydrodynamic expansion features with spectrally integrated images of the plume. 2D imaging coupled with monochromatic line selection showed several interesting features at various pressure levels which include velocity differences among the plumemore » species, emission intensity distribution, plasma temperature, electron density etc. Plume confinement, enhanced signal intensity, and dual peak structures in time-of-flight profiles were observed at intermediate pressure range of ~10 Torr. Optimum signal to background ratio was also observed in this pressure range. As a result, possible mechanisms for observed changes in plume shape, optical emission intensity and dual peak structures in time-of-flight profiles were discussed.« less

Exploring between the extremes: conversion-dependent kinetics of phosphite-modified hydroformylation catalysis.

PubMed

Kubis, Christoph; Selent, Detlef; Sawall, Mathias; Ludwig, Ralf; Neymeyr, Klaus; Baumann, Wolfgang; Franke, Robert; Börner, Armin

2012-07-09

The kinetics of the hydroformylation of 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene with a rhodium monophosphite catalyst has been studied in detail. Time-dependent concentration profiles covering the entire olefin conversion range were derived from in situ high-pressure FTIR spectroscopic data for both, pure organic components and catalytic intermediates. These profiles fit to Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics with competitive and uncompetitive side reactions involved. The characteristics found for the influence of the hydrogen concentration verify that the pre-equilibrium towards the catalyst substrate complex is not established. It has been proven experimentally that the hydrogenolysis of the intermediate acyl complex remains rate limiting even at high conversions when the rhodium hydride is the predominant resting state and the reaction is nearly of first order with respect to the olefin. Results from in situ FTIR and high-pressure (HP) NMR spectroscopy and from DFT calculations support the coordination of only one phosphite ligand in the dominating intermediates and a preferred axial position of the phosphite in the electronically saturated, trigonal bipyramidal (tbp)-structured acyl rhodium complex. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Investigation of flameholding characteristics in a kerosene-fueled scramjet combustor with tandem dual-cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yu-hang; Song, Wen-yan; Shi, De-yong

2017-11-01

The flameholding characteristics in a kerosene-fueled scramjet combustor with a tandem dual-cavity were investigated experimentally under various inlet stagnation pressure conditions. Flame stabilization locations were judged by the pressure distributions and flame luminescence images. The results show that at lower and higher equivalence ratios, the flame was stabilized in the downstream and upstream cavities, respectively. While at intermediate range of equivalence ratio the flame was oscillating between the two cavities. The inlet stagnation pressure has a significant impact on the flameholding characteristics by affecting the relative pressure rise and the flame speed. The transition of flame stabilization location can occur in a higher local flow Mach number in the case of the higher inlet stagnation pressure.

Phase behavior of Langmuir monolayers with ionic molecular heads: Molecular simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González-Castro, Carlos A.; Ramírez-Santiago, Guillermo

2015-03-01

We carried out Monte Carlo simulations in the N ,Π,T ensemble of a Langmuir monolayer coarse-grained molecular model. Considering that the hydrophilic groups can be ionized by modulating acid-base interactions, here we study the phase behavior of a model that incorporates the short-range steric and long-range ionic interactions. The simulations were carried out in the reduced temperature range 0.1 ≤T*<4.0 , where there is a competition of these interactions. Different order parameters were calculated and analyzed for several values of the reduced surface pressure in the interval, 1 ≤Π*≤40. For most of the surface pressures two directions of molecular tilt were found: (i) towards the nearest neighbor (NN) at low temperatures, T*<0.7, and most of the values of Π* and (ii) towards next-nearest neighbors (NNN) in the temperature interval 0.7 ≤T*<1.1 for Π*<25. We also found the coexistence of the NN and NNN at intermediate temperatures and Π*>25 . A low-temperature reentrant disorder-order-disorder transition in the positions of the molecular heads and in the collective tilt of the tails was found for all the surface pressure values. It was also found that the molecular tails arranged forming "rotating patterns" in the temperature interval, 0.5

Photon Intermediate Direct Energy Conversion Using a Strontium-90 Beta Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schott, Robert J.

This thesis covers an examination of a need for a compact, long lived power source and a proof of concept for one such design. To begin, tests were done dealing with photovoltaics and their lifetime while undergoing radiation damage from the source of interest, Strontium-90 (Sr-90). After completing these tests a system was designed, built, and ultimately tested over a range of pressures in order to test if a Photon Intermediate Direct Energy Conversion (PIDEC) system would be potentially viable. In brief, the PIDEC system tested for this thesis used two excimer gasses, Argon and Xenon, to produce photons. These gasses were excited into excimer production using a 10 mCi Sr-90 source and held in place at pressures ranging from 10-6 to 2400 psi by a pressure vessel. Photons produced were guided towards a photovoltaic by a mirror chamber lined with high efficiency aluminum mirrors. Outside of the pressure vessel a picoammeter read the current off of the photovoltaic and sent the current to a computer for data processing. Of primary interest was how the current changed based on the amount of energy captured by the gas plenum which was related to the pressure of the system. The overall efficiency of this system was low due to a non-optimized waveguide, much of the beta energy being lost beyond the gas plenum, and other factors. However, the results were sufficient to show that the process was successfully completed and making a new system to optimize for these features is warranted.

Mechanisms of the Wurtzite to Rocksalt Transformation in CdSe Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grünwald, Michael; Rabani, Eran; Dellago, Christoph

2006-06-01

We study the pressure-driven phase transition from the four-coordinate wurtzite to the six-coordinate rocksalt structure in CdSe nanocrystals with molecular dynamics computer simulations. With an ideal gas as the pressure medium, we apply hydrostatic pressure to spherical and faceted nanocrystals ranging in diameter from 25 to 62 Å. In spherical crystals, the main mechanism of the transformation involves the sliding of (100) planes, but depending on the specific surface structure we also observe a second mechanism proceeding through the flattening of (100) planes. In faceted crystals, the transition proceeds via a five-coordinated hexagonal structure, which is stabilized at intermediate pressures due to dominant surface energetics.

Pressure-flow specificity of inspiratory muscle training.

PubMed

Tzelepis, G E; Vega, D L; Cohen, M E; Fulambarker, A M; Patel, K K; McCool, F D

1994-08-01

The inspiratory muscles (IM) can be trained by having a subject breathe through inspiratory resistive loads or by use of unloaded hyperpnea. These disparate training protocols are characterized by high inspiratory pressure (force) or high inspiratory flow (velocity), respectively. We tested the hypothesis that the posttraining improvements in IM pressure or flow performance are specific to training protocols in a way that is similar to force-velocity specificity of skeletal muscle training. IM training was accomplished in 15 normal subjects by use of three protocols: high inspiratory pressure-no flow (group A, n = 5), low inspiratory pressure-high flow (group B, n = 5), and intermediate inspiratory pressure and flow (group C, n = 5). A control group (n = 4) did no training. Before and after training, we measured esophageal pressure (Pes) and inspiratory flow (VI) during single maximal inspiratory efforts against a range of external resistances including an occluded airway. Efforts originated below relaxation volume (Vrel), and peak Pes and VI were measured at Vrel. Isovolume maximal Pes-VI plots were constructed to assess maximal inspiratory pressure-flow performance. Group A (pressure training) performed 30 maximal static inspiratory maneuvers at Vrel daily, group B (flow training) performed 30 sets of three maximal inspiratory maneuvers with no added external resistance daily, and group C (intermediate training) performed 30 maximal inspiratory efforts on a midrange external resistance (7 mm ID) daily. Subjects trained 5 days/wk for 6 wk. Data analysis included comparison of posttraining Pes-VI slopes among training groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spin Crossover and the Magnetic P- T Phase Diagram of Hematite at High Hydrostatic Pressures and Cryogenic Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavriliuk, A. G.; Struzhkin, V. V.; Mironovich, A. A.; Lyubutin, I. S.; Troyan, I. A.; Chow, P.; Xiao, Y.

2018-02-01

The magnetic properties of the α-Fe2O3 hematite at a high hydrostatic pressure have been studied by synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy (nuclear forward scattering (NFS)) on iron nuclei. Time-domain NFS spectra of hematite have been measured in a diamond anvil cell in the pressure range of 0-72 GPa and the temperature range of 36-300 K in order to study the magnetic properties at a phase transition near a critical pressure of 50 GPa. In addition, Raman spectra at room temperature have been studied in the pressure range of 0-77 GPa. Neon has been used as a pressure-transmitting medium. The appearance of an intermediate electronic state has been revealed at a pressure of 48 GPa. This state is probably related to the spin crossover in Fe3+ ions at their transition from the high-spin state (HS, S = 5/2) to a low-spin one (LS, S = 1/2). It has been found that the transient pressure range of the HS-LS crossover is extended from 48 to 55 GPa and is almost independent of the temperature. This surprising result differs fundamentally from other cases of the spin crossover in Fe3+ ions observed in other crystals based on iron oxides. The transition region of spin crossover appears because of thermal fluctuations between HS and LS states in the critical pressure range and is significantly narrowed at cooling because of the suppression of thermal excitations. The magnetic P- T phase diagram of α-Fe2O3 at high pressures and low temperatures in the spin crossover region has been constructed according to the results of measurements.

Systematic study of the reaction kinetics for HMX.

PubMed

Long, Yao; Chen, Jun

2015-05-07

The reaction process of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) in wide temperature and pressure ranges is simulated by molecular dynamics. A set of postprocessing programs is written to evaluate the intermediate molecules and chemical reactions. On the basis of these evaluations, the reaction rates, reactive Hugoniot curves, and detonation wave profile are calculated. The detonation velocity and detonation pressure are determined as 9984 m/s and 38.3349 GPa, in agreement with the experimental results, 9110 m/s and 39.5 GPa. The width of the reaction zone is 10 μm, and the main products are N2, H2O, and CO2. We find some molecules play an important role in intermediate reactions but are not exhibited in final products, such as N2O2, N2O5, and C3H3N3.

Theoretical Study on the Dynamics of the Reaction of HNO((1)A') with HO2((2)A″).

PubMed

Mousavipour, S Hosein; Asemani, S Somayeh

2015-06-04

We used stochastic one-dimensional chemical master equation (CME) simulation to gain insight into the dynamics of the reaction of HNO((1)A') with HO2((2)A″). The reaction takes place over a multiwell, multichannel potential energy surface that is based on the computations at the CBS-QB3 level of theory. The calculated multipath potential energy surface consists of three potential wells and three van der Waals complexes. In solving the master equation, the Lennard-Jones potential is used to model the collision between the collider gases. The fractional population of different intermediates and products in the early stages of the reaction is examined to determine the role of the energized intermediates and van der Waals complexes on the kinetics of the title reaction. The major products of the title reaction at lower temperatures are OH, HNO2, HNOH, and O2(X(3)Σg(-)). The temperature- and pressure-dependence of the reaction over a wide range of temperature (300-3000 K) and pressure (0.1-2000 Torr) are studied. No sign of pressure dependence was being observed for the title reaction over the stated range of pressure. The calculated rate constants from the CME simulation are compared with those obtained from the RRKM-SSA method that is based on strong collision assumption. Our results indicate that the strong collision assumption increases the calculated rate constant for the formation of the main products (HNO2 + OH) by a factor of 2 at 300 K and 1 atm pressure, compared to the results of CME simulation, although the results are in good agreement at higher temperatures.

Unmanned Evaluation of Select Commercially Available Open Circuit Scuba Regulators for Cold Water Diving

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

Water Kit (dry system) installed as standard Abyss second stage with integrated 30-inch braided intermediate pressure hose as standard No user...diaphragm system) installed as standard Abyss second stage with integrated 30-inch braided intermediate pressure hose as standard No user adjustments...1st Stage Regulator with Abyss 2nd Stage and Integrated Intermediate Pressure Hose ..………………………….. A-2 A3 Modified Mares Proton Ice Extreme V32

Energy efficient engine: Turbine intermediate case and low-pressure turbine component test hardware detailed design report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, K.; Thulin, R. D.; Howe, D. C.

1982-01-01

A four stage, low pressure turbine component has been designed to power the fan and low pressure compressor system in the Energy Efficient Engine. Designs for a turbine intermediate case and an exit guide vane assembly also have been established. The components incorporate numerous technology features to enhance efficiency, durability, and performance retention. These designs reflect a positive step towards improving engine fuel efficiency on a component level. The aerodynamic and thermal/mechanical designs of the intermediate case and low pressure turbine components are presented and described. An overview of the predicted performance of the various component designs is given.

Electronic spin state of Fe,Al-containing MgSiO3 perovskite at lower mantle conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kupenko, I.; McCammon, C.; Sinmyo, R.; Prescher, C.; Chumakov, A. I.; Kantor, A.; Rüffer, R.; Dubrovinsky, L.

2014-02-01

We have investigated silicate perovskite with composition Mg0.83Fe0.21Al0.06Si0.91O3 relevant for the lower mantle at pressures up to 81 GPa and temperatures up to 2000 K using conventional Mössbauer spectroscopy and synchrotron Nuclear Forward Scattering (NFS) combined with double-sided laser heating in a diamond anvil cell. Room temperature Mössbauer and NFS spectra at low pressure are dominated by high-spin Fe2 +, with minor amounts of Fe3 + and a component assigned to a metastable position of high-spin Fe2 + in the A-site predicted by computational studies. NFS data show a sharp transition (< 20 GPa) from high-spin Fe2 + to a new component with extremely high quadrupole splitting, similar to previous studies. Mössbauer data show the same transition, but over a broader pressure range likely due to the higher pressure gradient. The new Fe2 + component is assigned to intermediate-spin Fe2 +, consistent with previous X-ray emission studies. NFS data at high temperatures and high pressures comparable to those in the lower mantle are consistent with the presence of Fe2 + only in the intermediate-spin state and Fe3 + only in the high-spin state. Our results are therefore consistent with the occurrence of spin crossover only in Fe2 + in Fe-, Al-containing perovskite within the lower mantle.

High pressure-high temperature phase diagram of an energetic crystal: Dihydroxylammonium 5,5'-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate (TKX-50)

DOE PAGES

Dreger, Z. A.; Breshike, C. J.; Gupta, Y. M.

2017-05-08

Raman spectroscopy was used to examine the high pressure-high temperature structural and chemical stability of an insensitive, high-performance energetic crystal – dihydroxylammonium 5,5'-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate (TKX-50). The phase diagram was determined over 8 GPa and (293-760) K. Under isobaric heating, the melting/decomposition of TKX-50 is preceded by a transformation to two consecutive high-temperature intermediates; a lower-temperature intermediate – diammonium 5,5’-bistetrazole-1,1'-diolate, and a higher-temperature intermediate – dihydroxylammonium 5,5'-bistetrazolate and/or diammonium 5,5'-bistetrazolate. Pressure strongly increases the transition temperatures for these transformations and subsequent decomposition. As a result, significant increase in the chemical stability of TKX-50 and intermediates with pressure was attributed to a suppressionmore » of hydrogen-transfer.« less

On the Nature of Disorder in Solid 4He

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krainyukova, N. V.

2010-02-01

We apply a modified Debye approach to calculate the Gibbs free energy for different structural phases and crystallite sizes in 4He. Atoms are assumed to interact via the Aziz potential. We have found that some intermediate (between hcp and bcc) phase predicted previously is more favorable than hcp at low temperatures and for small sizes. We show that it can exist in a wide pressure range up to 60 bar in 4He for crystallite sizes about 3,000 atoms. For larger sizes (10,000 atoms or more) this phase becomes unfavorable. In multidomain structures the intermediate phase competes with hcp and metastable fcc that can be a reason for disorder in solid 4He.

Volatility dependence of Henry's law constants of condensable organics: Application to estimate depositional loss of secondary organic aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hodzic, A.; Aumont, B.; Knote, C.; Lee-Taylor, J.; Madronich, S.; Tyndall, G.

2014-07-01

The water solubility of oxidation intermediates of volatile organic compounds that can condense to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is largely unconstrained in current chemistry-climate models. We apply the Generator of Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere to calculate Henry's law constants for these intermediate species. Results show a strong negative correlation between Henry's law constants and saturation vapor pressures. Details depend on precursor species, extent of photochemical processing, and NOx levels. Henry's law constants as a function of volatility are made available over a wide range of vapor pressures for use in 3-D models. In an application using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) over the U.S. in summer, we find that dry (and wet) deposition of condensable organic vapors leads to major reductions in SOA, decreasing surface concentrations by ~50% (10%) for biogenic and ~40% (6%) for short chain anthropogenic precursors under the considered volatility conditions.

Identification of combustion intermediates in low-pressure premixed pyridine/oxygen/argon flames.

PubMed

Tian, Zhenyu; Li, Yuyang; Zhang, Taichang; Zhu, Aiguo; Qi, Fei

2008-12-25

Combustion intermediates of two low-pressure premixed pyridine/oxygen flames with respective equivalence ratios of 0.56 (C/O/N = 1:4.83:0.20) and 2.10 (C/O/N = 1:1.29:0.20) have been identified with tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization and molecular-beam mass spectrometry techniques. About 80 intermediates in the rich flame and 60 intermediates in the lean flame, including nitrogenous, oxygenated, and hydrocarbon intermediates, have been identified by measurements of photoionization mass spectra and photoionization efficiency spectra. Some radicals and new nitrogenous intermediates are identified in the present work. The experimental results are useful for studying the conversion of volatile nitrogen compounds and understanding the formation mechanism of NO(x) in flames of nitrogenous fuels.

Sound field inside acoustically levitated spherical drop

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, W. J.; Wei, B.

2007-05-01

The sound field inside an acoustically levitated small spherical water drop (radius of 1mm) is studied under different incident sound pressures (amplitude p0=2735-5643Pa). The transmitted pressure ptr in the drop shows a plane standing wave, which varies mainly in the vertical direction, and distributes almost uniformly in the horizontal direction. The maximum of ptr is always located at the lowermost point of the levitated drop. Whereas the secondary maximum appears at the uppermost point if the incident pressure amplitude p0 is higher than an intermediate value (3044Pa), in which there exists a pressure nodal surface in the drop interior. The value of the maximum ptr lies in a narrow range of 2489-3173Pa, which has a lower limit of 2489Pa when p0=3044Pa. The secondary maximum of ptr is rather small and only remarkable at high incident pressures.

Influence of high hydrostatic pressure on Alq3, Gaq3, and Inq3 (q = 8-hydroxyquinoline).

PubMed

Hernández, Ignacio; Gillin, William P

2009-10-29

We have studied the spectroscopic properties of OLED materials Alq(3), Gaq(3) and Inq(3) (q = 8-hydroxyquinoline) under pressure. We discuss the results in terms of the influence of structural modifications, the isomeric state and the enhancement of the intermolecular interaction. As-grown Alq(3), Gaq(3), Inq(3) containing meridional (mer) isomer experience a red shift of nearly 90 nm (2400 cm(-1)) in the 0-8 GPa range. Abrupt changes in the photoluminescence occur during compression at intermediate pressures for all materials. We assign them to a phase transition, its critical pressure depending on the central cation. All three samples experience an amorphization at P approximately 6 GPa, with associated changes in the spectroscopic properties. The pressure-induced phase transitions present hysteresis to ambient conditions. Photoluminescence lifetime decreases in all cases in the explored pressure range. In the case of facial isomer containing polymorphs of Alq(3), luminescence does not change its energy significantly. The most significant spectroscopic change observed in fac-isomer containing materials corresponds to gamma-Alq(3), which presents a low energy component that gains relative importance when pressure is increased. We ascribe this phenomenon to the presence of sensitized mer isomer impurities.

The relationship of intravascular bubbles to bends at altitude

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krutz, R. W.; Dixon, G. A.; Olson, R. M.; Moore, A. A.

1986-01-01

In response to recent findings attesting to a correlation between intravehicular bubbling and decompression sickness at intermediate altitudes, an attempt was made to define a minimum pressure for a pressure suit which would obviate the need for prebreathing 100 percent oxygen prior to extravehicular activity (EVA). Fifty-seven male subjects were exposed to altitudes ranging from 16,000 to 30,000 ft in two separate protocols. The first was designed to determine a pressure at which no bends occurred if a crewmember were decompressed from a sea level space station pressure just prior to EVA without prebreathing 100 percent oxygen. The other study was designed to define an altitude and exercise regimen at which bends-susceptible and bends-resistant crewmembers could be separated. It is shown that the close association which exists between severe bubbling and bends at a pressure altitude of 4.3 psia (30,000 ft) decreases as pressure is increased and essentially disappears at pressures less than or equal to 7.8 psia (16,000 ft).

Nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes on flat surfaces.

PubMed

Starov, Victor M

2004-01-15

The hydrostatic pressure in thin liquid layers differs from the pressure in the ambient air. This difference is caused by the actions of surface forces and capillary pressure. The manifestation of the surface force action is the disjoining pressure, which has a very special S-shaped form in the case of partial wetting (aqueous thin films and thin films of aqueous electrolyte and surfactant solutions, both free films and films on solid substrates). In thin flat liquid films the disjoining pressure acts alone and determines their thickness. However, if the film surface is curved then both the disjoining and the capillary pressures act simultaneously. In the case of partial wetting their simultaneous action results in the existence of nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes. It is shown that in the case of S-shaped disjoining pressure isotherm microdrops, microdepressions, and equilibrium periodic films exist on flat solid substrates. Criteria are found for both the existence and the stability of these nonflat equilibrium liquid shapes. It is shown that a transition from thick films to thinner films can go via intermediate nonflat states, microdepressions and periodic films, which both can be more stable than flat films within some range of hydrostatic pressure. Experimental investigations of shapes of the predicted nonflat layers can open new possibilities of determination of disjoining pressure in the range of thickness in which flat films are unstable.

Pressure-Induced Dissolution and Reentrant Formation of Condensed, Liquid-Liquid Phase-Separated Elastomeric α-Elastin.

PubMed

Cinar, Hasan; Cinar, Süleyman; Chan, Hue Sun; Winter, Roland

2018-05-08

We investigated the combined effects of temperature and pressure on liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) phenomena of α-elastin up to the multi-kbar regime. FT-IR spectroscopy, CD, UV/Vis absorption, phase-contrast light and fluorescence microscopy techniques were employed to reveal structural changes and mesoscopic phase states of the system. A novel pressure-induced reentrant LLPS was observed in the intermediate temperature range. A molecular-level picture, in particular on the role of hydrophobic interactions, hydration, and void volume in controlling LLPS phenomena is presented. The potential role of the LLPS phenomena in the development of early cellular compartmentalization is discussed, which might have started in the deep sea, where pressures up to the kbar level are encountered. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Low-frequency instabilities and plasma turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ilic, D. B.

1973-01-01

A theoretical and experimental study is reported of steady-state and time-dependent characteristics of the positive column and the hollow cathode discharge (HCD). The steady state of a non-isothermal, cylindrical positive column in an axial magnetic field is described by three moment equations in the plasma approximation. Volume generation of electron-ion pairs by single-stage ionization, the presence of axial current, and collisions with neutrals are considered. The theory covers the range from the low pressure, collisionless regime to the intermediate pressure, collisional regime. It yields radial profiles of the charged particle velocities, density, potential, electron and ion temperatures, and demonstrates similarity laws for the positive column. The results are compared with two moment theories and with experimental data on He, Ar and Hg found in the literature for a wide range of pressures. A simple generalization of the isothermal theory for an infinitely long cylinder in an axial magnetic field to the case of a finite column with axial current flow is also demonstrated.

Axial Flow Conditioning Device for Mitigating Instabilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahuja, Vineet (Inventor); Birkbeck, Roger M. (Inventor); Hosangadi, Ashvin (Inventor)

2017-01-01

A flow conditioning device for incrementally stepping down pressure within a piping system is presented. The invention includes an outer annular housing, a center element, and at least one intermediate annular element. The outer annular housing includes an inlet end attachable to an inlet pipe and an outlet end attachable to an outlet pipe. The outer annular housing and the intermediate annular element(s) are concentrically disposed about the center element. The intermediate annular element(s) separates an axial flow within the outer annular housing into at least two axial flow paths. Each axial flow path includes at least two annular extensions that alternately and locally direct the axial flow radially outward and inward or radially inward and outward thereby inducing a pressure loss or a pressure gradient within the axial flow. The pressure within the axial flow paths is lower than the pressure at the inlet end and greater than the vapor pressure for the axial flow. The invention minimizes fluidic instabilities, pressure pulses, vortex formation and shedding, and/or cavitation during pressure step down to yield a stabilized flow within a piping system.

Faulting of natural serpentinite: Implications for intermediate-depth seismicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasc, Julien; Hilairet, Nadège; Yu, Tony; Ferrand, Thomas; Schubnel, Alexandre; Wang, Yanbin

2017-09-01

The seismic potential of serpentinites at high pressure was investigated via deformation experiments on cored natural serpentinite samples, during which micro-seismicity was monitored by recording Acoustic Emissions (AEs). Deformation was performed at pressures of 3-5 GPa, using a Deformation-DIA device, and over a wide range of temperatures, both within and outside antigorite's stability field. Below 400 °C, serpentinite deformation involves ;silent; semi-brittle mechanisms, even in cases where strain localization is observed. At high temperature (i.e., above 600 °C), despite conditions propitious to dehydration embrittlement (i.e., fast strain rates and reaction kinetics), joint deformation and dehydration lead to ductile shear, without generation of AEs. Brittle behavior was observed in a narrow temperature window ca. 500 °C. In this latter case, AEs are consistently observed upon faulting and extremely sharp strain localization is observed in recovered samples. The resulting microstructures are consistent with the inverse ductile-to-brittle transition proposed by Proctor and Hirth (2016) in antigorite. This may therefore be a source of seismicity in subducting slabs at mantle pressures and temperatures from 500 to 600 °C. However, the acoustic signal observed here is orders of magnitude weaker than what is obtained at low PT conditions with brittle failure, consistently with low radiation efficiency of serpentinite faulting (Prieto et al., 2013) and suggests that other mechanisms are responsible for large intermediate-depth earthquakes. In fact, the present results are in line with a recent study (Ferrand et al., 2017), that suggests that intermediate earthquakes are likely induced by mechanical instabilities due to dehydration in partly hydrated peridotites.

4-spin plaquette singlet state in the Shastry-Sutherland compound SrCu2(BO3)2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zayed, M. E.; Rüegg, Ch.; Larrea J., J.; Läuchli, A. M.; Panagopoulos, C.; Saxena, S. S.; Ellerby, M.; McMorrow, D. F.; Strässle, Th.; Klotz, S.; Hamel, G.; Sadykov, R. A.; Pomjakushin, V.; Boehm, M.; Jiménez-Ruiz, M.; Schneidewind, A.; Pomjakushina, E.; Stingaciu, M.; Conder, K.; Rønnow, H. M.

2017-10-01

The study of interacting spin systems is of fundamental importance for modern condensed-matter physics. On frustrated lattices, magnetic exchange interactions cannot be simultaneously satisfied, and often give rise to competing exotic ground states. The frustrated two-dimensional Shastry-Sutherland lattice realized by SrCu2(BO3)2 (refs ,) is an important test case for our understanding of quantum magnetism. It was constructed to have an exactly solvable 2-spin dimer singlet ground state within a certain range of exchange parameters and frustration. While the exact dimer state and the antiferromagnetic order at both ends of the phase diagram are well known, the ground state and spin correlations in the intermediate frustration range have been widely debated. We report here the first experimental identification of the conjectured plaquette singlet intermediate phase in SrCu2(BO3)2. It is observed by inelastic neutron scattering after pressure tuning to 21.5 kbar. This gapped singlet state leads to a transition to long-range antiferromagnetic order above 40 kbar, consistent with the existence of a deconfined quantum critical point.

14 CFR 31.47 - Burners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... emergency operation. (d) The burner system (including the burner unit, controls, fuel lines, fuel cells...) Five hours at the maximum fuel pressure for which approval is sought, with a burn time for each one... intermediate fuel pressure, with a burn time for each one minute cycle of three to ten seconds. An intermediate...

14 CFR 31.47 - Burners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... emergency operation. (d) The burner system (including the burner unit, controls, fuel lines, fuel cells...) Five hours at the maximum fuel pressure for which approval is sought, with a burn time for each one... intermediate fuel pressure, with a burn time for each one minute cycle of three to ten seconds. An intermediate...

14 CFR 31.47 - Burners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... emergency operation. (d) The burner system (including the burner unit, controls, fuel lines, fuel cells...) Five hours at the maximum fuel pressure for which approval is sought, with a burn time for each one... intermediate fuel pressure, with a burn time for each one minute cycle of three to ten seconds. An intermediate...

14 CFR 31.47 - Burners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... emergency operation. (d) The burner system (including the burner unit, controls, fuel lines, fuel cells...) Five hours at the maximum fuel pressure for which approval is sought, with a burn time for each one... intermediate fuel pressure, with a burn time for each one minute cycle of three to ten seconds. An intermediate...

14 CFR 31.47 - Burners.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... emergency operation. (d) The burner system (including the burner unit, controls, fuel lines, fuel cells...) Five hours at the maximum fuel pressure for which approval is sought, with a burn time for each one... intermediate fuel pressure, with a burn time for each one minute cycle of three to ten seconds. An intermediate...

Polymeric check valve with an elevated pedestal for precise cracking pressure in a glaucoma drainage device.

PubMed

Park, Chang-Ju; Yang, Dong-Seong; Cha, Jung-Joon; Lee, Jong-Hyun

2016-02-01

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a polymeric micro check valve for a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) featuring the precise regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and effective aqueous humor turnover (AHT). The pedestal, slightly elevated by selective coating of a parylene C film, induces pre-stress in the thin valve membrane, which enhances the predictability of the cracking pressure of the GDD. The proposed GDD comprises a cannula and a normally closed polymeric micro check valve, which are made of PDMS, a biocompatible polymer, with three layers: top (cover), intermediate (thin valve membrane), and bottom (base plate). A feedback channel, located between the top and intermediate layers, prevents reverse flow by feeding the pressure of the outlet channel back to the thin valve membrane. To achieve a precise cracking pressure and sufficient drainage of humor for humans, the thicknesses of the valve membrane and parylene C film are designed to be 58 μm and 1 μm, respectively, which are confirmed using a COMSOL simulation. The experimental results show that the cracking pressure of the fabricated GDD lies within the range of normal IOP (1.33-2.67 kPa). The forward flow rate (drainage rate), 4.3 ± 0.9 μL/min at 2.5 kPa, is adequate to accommodate the rate of AHT in a normal human eye (2.4 ± 0.6 μL/min). The reverse flow was not observed when a hydrostatic pressure of up to 4 kPa was applied to the outlet and the feedback channel.

Applicability of Child-Langmuir collision laws for describing a dc cathode sheath in N2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisovskiy, V. A.; Artushenko, E. P.; Yegorenkov, V. D.; Yegorenkov

2014-06-01

It is established which of the Child-Langmuir collision law versions are most appropriate for describing the processes in the cathode sheath in the N2O. At low pressure (up to 0.3 Torr), the Child-Langmuir law version relating to the constant ion mobility holds. At N2O pressure values starting from 0.75 Torr and above, one has to employ the law version for which it is assumed that the ion mean free path within the cathode sheath is constant. In the intermediate pressure range (between 0.3 and 0.75 Torr), neither of the Child-Langmuir law versions gives a correct description of the cathode sheath of the glow discharge in the N2O.

A preliminary analysis of low frequency pressure oscillations in hybrid rocket motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jenkins, Rhonald M.

1994-01-01

Past research with hybrid rockets has suggested that certain motor operating conditions are conducive to the formation of pressure oscillations, or flow instabilities, within the motor combustion chamber. These combustion-related vibrations or pressure oscillations may be encountered in virtually any type of rocket motor and typically fall into three frequency ranges: low frequency oscillations (0-300 Hz); intermediate frequency oscillations (400-1000 Hz); and high frequency oscillations (greater than 1000 Hz). In general, combustion instability is characterized by organized pressure oscillations occurring at well-defined intervals with pressure peaks that may maintain themselves, grow, or die out. Usually, such peaks exceed +/- 5% of the mean chamber pressure. For hybrid motors, these oscillations have been observed to grow to a limiting amplitude which may be dependent on factors such as fuel characteristics, oxidizer injector characteristics, average chamber pressure, oxidizer mass flux, combustion chamber length, and grain geometry. The approach taken in the present analysis is to develop a modified chamber length, L, instability theory which accounts for the relationship between pressure and oxidizer to fuel concentration ratio in the motor.

Structures of two intermediate phases between the B1 and B2 phases of PbS under high pressure

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

Li, Yanchun, E-mail: liyc@ihep.ac.cn, E-mail: liuj@ihep.ac.cn; Lin, Chuanlong; Li, Xiaodong

2014-12-15

The structural transitions of PbS were investigated at pressures up to 50 GPa using synchrotron powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods in diamond anvil cells. We found two intermediate phases between the B1 phase under atmospheric pressure and the B2 phase at 21.1 GPa, which is different to previous reports. The structures of these two intermediate phases were indexed as B27 and B33, respectively. Their structural parameters were investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our results provide a new insight into understanding the transition pathway between the B1 and B2 phases in PbS.

Effects of interface pressure distribution on human sleep quality.

PubMed

Chen, Zongyong; Li, Yuqian; Liu, Rong; Gao, Dong; Chen, Quanhui; Hu, Zhian; Guo, Jiajun

2014-01-01

High sleep quality promotes efficient performance in the following day. Sleep quality is influenced by environmental factors, such as temperature, light, sound and smell. Here, we investigated whether differences in the interface pressure distribution on healthy individuals during sleep influenced sleep quality. We defined four types of pressure models by differences in the area distribution and the subjective feelings that occurred when participants slept on the mattresses. One type of model was showed "over-concentrated" distribution of pressure; one was displayed "over-evenly" distributed interface pressure while the other two models were displayed intermediate distribution of pressure. A polysomnography analysis demonstrated an increase in duration and proportion of non-rapid-eye-movement sleep stages 3 and 4, as well as decreased number of micro-arousals, in subjects sleeping on models with pressure intermediately distributed compared to models with over-concentrated or over-even distribution of pressure. Similarly, higher scores of self-reported sleep quality were obtained in subjects sleeping on the two models with intermediate pressure distribution. Thus, pressure distribution, at least to some degree, influences sleep quality and self-reported feelings of sleep-related events, though the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The regulation of pressure models imposed by external sleep environment may be a new direction for improving sleep quality. Only an appropriate interface pressure distribution is beneficial for improving sleep quality, over-concentrated or -even distribution of pressure do not help for good sleep.

Phase diagram of two-dimensional hard ellipses.

PubMed

Bautista-Carbajal, Gustavo; Odriozola, Gerardo

2014-05-28

We report the phase diagram of two-dimensional hard ellipses as obtained from replica exchange Monte Carlo simulations. The replica exchange is implemented by expanding the isobaric ensemble in pressure. The phase diagram shows four regions: isotropic, nematic, plastic, and solid (letting aside the hexatic phase at the isotropic-plastic two-step transition [E. P. Bernard and W. Krauth, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 155704 (2011)]). At low anisotropies, the isotropic fluid turns into a plastic phase which in turn yields a solid for increasing pressure (area fraction). Intermediate anisotropies lead to a single first order transition (isotropic-solid). Finally, large anisotropies yield an isotropic-nematic transition at low pressures and a high-pressure nematic-solid transition. We obtain continuous isotropic-nematic transitions. For the transitions involving quasi-long-range positional ordering, i.e., isotropic-plastic, isotropic-solid, and nematic-solid, we observe bimodal probability density functions. This supports first order transition scenarios.

Experimental study of the polyamorphism of water. II. The isobaric transitions between HDA and VHDA at intermediate and high pressures.

PubMed

Handle, Philip H; Loerting, Thomas

2018-03-28

Since the first report of very-high density amorphous ice (VHDA) in 2001 [T. Loerting et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 3, 5355-5357 (2001)], the status of VHDA as a distinct amorphous ice has been debated. We here study VHDA and its relation to expanded high density amorphous ice (eHDA) on the basis of isobaric heating experiments. VHDA was heated at 0.1 ≤ p ≤ 0.7 GPa, and eHDA was heated at 1.1 ≤ p ≤ 1.6 GPa to achieve interconversion. The behavior upon heating is monitored using in situ volumetry as well as ex situ X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. We do not observe a sharp transition for any of the isobaric experiments. Instead, a continuous expansion (VHDA) or densification (eHDA) marks the interconversion. This suggests that a continuum of states exists between VHDA and HDA, at least in the temperature range studied here. This further suggests that VHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at high pressures and eHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at intermediate pressures. It remains unclear whether or not HDA and VHDA experience a sharp transition upon isothermal compression/decompression at low temperature.

Experimental study of the polyamorphism of water. II. The isobaric transitions between HDA and VHDA at intermediate and high pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handle, Philip H.; Loerting, Thomas

2018-03-01

Since the first report of very-high density amorphous ice (VHDA) in 2001 [T. Loerting et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 3, 5355-5357 (2001)], the status of VHDA as a distinct amorphous ice has been debated. We here study VHDA and its relation to expanded high density amorphous ice (eHDA) on the basis of isobaric heating experiments. VHDA was heated at 0.1 ≤ p ≤ 0.7 GPa, and eHDA was heated at 1.1 ≤ p ≤ 1.6 GPa to achieve interconversion. The behavior upon heating is monitored using in situ volumetry as well as ex situ X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. We do not observe a sharp transition for any of the isobaric experiments. Instead, a continuous expansion (VHDA) or densification (eHDA) marks the interconversion. This suggests that a continuum of states exists between VHDA and HDA, at least in the temperature range studied here. This further suggests that VHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at high pressures and eHDA is the most relaxed amorphous ice at intermediate pressures. It remains unclear whether or not HDA and VHDA experience a sharp transition upon isothermal compression/decompression at low temperature.

Combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Wiebe, David J; Fox, Timothy A

2013-02-19

A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine. The combustor assembly includes a combustor device coupled to a main engine casing, a first fuel injection system, a transition duct, and an intermediate duct. The combustor device includes a flow sleeve for receiving pressurized air and a liner disposed radially inwardly from the flow sleeve. The first fuel injection system provides fuel that is ignited with the pressurized air creating first working gases. The intermediate duct is disposed between the liner and the transition duct and defines a path for the first working gases to flow from the liner to the transition duct. An intermediate duct inlet portion is associated with a liner outlet and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the liner. An intermediate duct outlet portion is associated with a transition duct inlet section and allows movement between the intermediate duct and the transition duct.

Combining risk markers improves cardiovascular risk prediction in women.

PubMed

Holewijn, Suzanne; den Heijer, Martin; Kiemeney, Lambertus A; Stalenhoef, Anton F H; de Graaf, Jacqueline

2014-01-01

Cardiovascular risk stratification could be improved by adding measures of atherosclerosis to current risk scores, especially in intermediate-risk individuals. We prospectively evaluated the additive value of different non-invasive risk markers (both individual and combined) for gender-specific cardiovascular risk stratification on top of traditional risk factors in a middle-aged population-based cohort. Carotid-plaques, IMT (intima-media thickness), ABI (ankle-brachial index), PWV (pulse-wave velocity), AIx (augmentation index), CAP (central augmented pressure) and CSP (central-systolic pressure) were measured in 1367 CVD (cardiovascular disease)-free participants aged 50-70 years old. Cardiovascular events were validated after a mean follow-up of 3.8 years. AUC (area-under-the-curve) and NRI (net reclassification improvement) analyses (total-NRI for all and clinical-NRI for intermediate-risk groups) were used to determine the additive value of individual and combined risk markers. Cardiovascular events occurred in 32 women and 39 men. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors explained 6.2% and 12.5% of the variance in CVD in women and men respectively. AUCs did not substantially increase by adding individual or combined non-invasive risk markers. Individual risk markers only improved reclassification in intermediate-risk women and more than in men; clinical-NRIs ranged between 48.0 and 173.1% in women and 8.9 and 20% in men. Combined non-invasive-risk markers improved reclassification in all women and even more in those at intermediate risk; 'IMT-presence-thickness-of-plaques' showed largest reclassification [total-NRI=33.8%, P=0.012; IDI (integrated-discrimination-improvement)=0.048, P=0.066; clinical-NRI=168.0%]. In men, combined non-invasive risk markers improved reclassification only in those at intermediate risk; 'PWV-AIx-CSP-CAP-IMT' showed the largest reclassification (total-NRI=14.5%, P=0.087; IDI=0.016, P=0.148; clinical-NRI=46.0%). In all women, cardiovascular risk stratification improved by adding combinations and in women at intermediate risk also by adding individual non-invasive risk markers. The additive value of individual and combined non-invasive risk markers in men is limited to men at intermediate risk only, and to a lesser extent than in women.

High accuracy differential pressure measurements using fluid-filled catheters - A feasibility study in compliant tubes.

PubMed

Rotman, Oren Moshe; Weiss, Dar; Zaretsky, Uri; Shitzer, Avraham; Einav, Shmuel

2015-09-18

High accuracy differential pressure measurements are required in various biomedical and medical applications, such as in fluid-dynamic test systems, or in the cath-lab. Differential pressure measurements using fluid-filled catheters are relatively inexpensive, yet may be subjected to common mode pressure errors (CMP), which can significantly reduce the measurement accuracy. Recently, a novel correction method for high accuracy differential pressure measurements was presented, and was shown to effectively remove CMP distortions from measurements acquired in rigid tubes. The purpose of the present study was to test the feasibility of this correction method inside compliant tubes, which effectively simulate arteries. Two tubes with varying compliance were tested under dynamic flow and pressure conditions to cover the physiological range of radial distensibility in coronary arteries. A third, compliant model, with a 70% stenosis severity was additionally tested. Differential pressure measurements were acquired over a 3 cm tube length using a fluid-filled double-lumen catheter, and were corrected using the proposed CMP correction method. Validation of the corrected differential pressure signals was performed by comparison to differential pressure recordings taken via a direct connection to the compliant tubes, and by comparison to predicted differential pressure readings of matching fluid-structure interaction (FSI) computational simulations. The results show excellent agreement between the experimentally acquired and computationally determined differential pressure signals. This validates the application of the CMP correction method in compliant tubes of the physiological range for up to intermediate size stenosis severity of 70%. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of 15-Stage Experimental J71 Axial-Flow Compressor: II - Individual Stage Performance Characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucas, James G.; Filippi, Richard E.

1954-01-01

The first four stages were found to cause a major part of the poor low-speed efficiency of this compressor. The low design-speed over-all pressure ratio at surge was caused by the first and the twelfth to fifteenth stages. The multiple over-all performance curves in the intermediate-speed range were at least partly the result of double-branched characteristic curves for the third and seventh stages.

Treatment of industrial oily wastewaters by wet oxidation.

PubMed

Zerva, C; Peschos, Z; Poulopoulos, S G; Philippopoulos, C J

2003-02-28

In the present work, the homogeneous wet oxidation (WO) of an oily wastewater (COD approximately 11,000 mg l(-1)), composed mainly of alcohols and phenolic compounds, was studied in a high-pressure agitated autoclave reactor in the temperature range of 180-260 degrees C and oxygen pressure 1 MPa. Temperature was found to have a significant impact on the oxidation of the contaminants in the wastewater. Among the compounds contained in the wastewater, ethylene glycol showed great resistance to wet oxidation. Temperatures above 240 degrees C were required for its effective degradation. Organic acids, mainly acetic acid, were the intermediate products of the wet oxidation process and their conversion to carbon dioxide was very slow. A generalised model based on a parallel reaction scheme was used to interpret the experimental data obtained. The activation energies obtained were in the range of 90-130 kJ mol(-1).

Advanced PIC-MCC simulation for the investigation of step-ionization effect in intermediate-pressure capacitively coupled plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jin Seok; Hur, Min Young; Kim, Chang Ho; Kim, Ho Jun; Lee, Hae June

2018-03-01

A two-dimensional parallelized particle-in-cell simulation has been developed to simulate a capacitively coupled plasma reactor. The parallelization using graphics processing units is applied to resolve the heavy computational load. It is found that the step-ionization plays an important role in the intermediate gas pressure of a few Torr. Without the step-ionization, the average electron density decreases while the effective electron temperature increases with the increase of gas pressure at a fixed power. With the step-ionization, however, the average electron density increases while the effective electron temperature decreases with the increase of gas pressure. The cases with the step-ionization agree well with the tendency of experimental measurement. The electron energy distribution functions show that the population of electrons having intermediate energy from 4.2 to 12 eV is relaxed by the step-ionization. Also, it was observed that the power consumption by the electrons is increasing with the increase of gas pressure by the step-ionization process, while the power consumption by the ions decreases with the increase of gas pressure.

A Micromachined Capacitive Pressure Sensor Using a Cavity-Less Structure with Bulk-Metal/Elastomer Layers and Its Wireless Telemetry Application

PubMed Central

Takahata, Kenichi; Gianchandani, Yogesh B.

2008-01-01

This paper reports a micromachined capacitive pressure sensor intended for applications that require mechanical robustness. The device is constructed with two micromachined metal plates and an intermediate polymer layer that is soft enough to deform in a target pressure range. The plates are formed of micromachined stainless steel fabricated by batch-compatible micro-electro-discharge machining. A polyurethane room-temperature-vulcanizing liquid rubber of 38-μm thickness is used as the deformable material. This structure eliminates both the vacuum cavity and the associated lead transfer challenges common to micromachined capacitive pressure sensors. For frequency-based interrogation of the capacitance, passive inductor-capacitor tanks are fabricated by combining the capacitive sensor with an inductive coil. The coil has 40 turns of a 127-μm-diameter copper wire. Wireless sensing is demonstrated in liquid by monitoring the variation in the resonant frequency of the tank via an external coil that is magnetically coupled with the tank. The sensitivity at room temperature is measured to be 23-33 ppm/KPa over a dynamic range of 340 KPa, which is shown to match a theoretical estimation. Temperature dependence of the tank is experimentally evaluated. PMID:27879824

Effect of water vapor on fatigue crack growth in 7475-T651 aluminum alloy plate. [for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dicus, D. L.

1984-01-01

The effects of water vapor on fatigue crack growth in 7475-T651 aluminum alloy plate at frequencies of 1 Hz and 10 Hz were investigated. Twenty-five mm thick compact specimens were subjected to constant amplitude fatigue testing at a load ratio of 0.2. Fatigue crack growth rates were calculated from effective crack lengths determined using a compliance method. Tests were conducted in hard vacuum and at water vapor partial pressures ranging from 94 Pa to 3.8 kPa. Fatigue crack growth rates were frequency insensitive under all environment conditions tested. For constant stress intensity factor ranges crack growth rate transitions occurred at low and high water vapor pressures. Crack growth rates at intermediate pressures were relatively constant and showed reasonable agreement with published data for two Al-Cu-Mg alloys. The existence of two crack growth rate transitions suggests either a change in rate controlling kinetics or a change in corrosion fatigue mechanism as a function of water vapor pressure. Reduced residual deformation and transverse cracking specimens tested in water vapor versus vacuum may be evidence of embrittlement within the plastic zone due to environmental interaction.

The effect of water vapor on fatigue crack Growth in 7475-t651 aluminum alloy plate. [for aerospace applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dicus, D. L.

1982-01-01

The effects of water vapor on fatigue crack growth in 7475-T651 aluminum alloy plate at frequencies of 1 Hz and 10 Hz were investigated. Twenty-five mm thick compact specimens were subjected to constant amplitude fatigue testing at a load ratio of 0.2. Fatigue crack growth rates were calculated from effective crack lengths determined using a compliance method. Tests were conducted in hard vacuum and at water vapor partial pressures ranging from 94 Pa to 3.8 kPa. Fatigue crack growth rates were frequency insensitive under all environment conditions tested. For constant stress intensity factor ranges crack growth rate transitions occurred at low and high water vapor pressures. Crack growth rates at intermediate pressures were relatively constant and showed reasonable agreement with published data for two Al-Cu-Mg alloys. The existence of two crack growth rate transitions suggests either a change in rate controlling kinetics or a change in corrosion fatigue mechanism as a function of water vapor pressure. Reduced residual deformation and transverse cracking specimens tested in water vapor versus vacuum may be evidence of embrittlement within the plastic zone due to environmental interaction.

Some Observations on Damage Tolerance Analyses in Pressure Vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, Ivatury S.; Dawicke, David S.; Hampton, Roy W.

2017-01-01

AIAA standards S080 and S081 are applicable for certification of metallic pressure vessels (PV) and composite overwrap pressure vessels (COPV), respectively. These standards require damage tolerance analyses with a minimum reliable detectible flaw/crack and demonstration of safe life four times the service life with these cracks at the worst-case location in the PVs and oriented perpendicular to the maximum principal tensile stress. The standards require consideration of semi-elliptical surface cracks in the range of aspect ratios (crack depth a to half of the surface length c, i.e., (a/c) of 0.2 to 1). NASA-STD-5009 provides the minimum reliably detectible standard crack sizes (90/95 probability of detection (POD) for several non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods (eddy current (ET), penetrant (PT), radiography (RT) and ultrasonic (UT)) for the two limits of the aspect ratio range required by the AIAA standards. This paper tries to answer the questions: can the safe life analysis consider only the life for the crack sizes at the two required limits, or endpoints, of the (a/c) range for the NDE method used or does the analysis need to consider values within that range? What would be an appropriate method to interpolate 90/95 POD crack sizes at intermediate (a/c) values? Several procedures to develop combinations of a and c within the specified range are explored. A simple linear relationship between a and c is chosen to compare the effects of seven different approaches to determine combinations of aj and cj that are between the (a/c) endpoints. Two of the seven are selected for evaluation: Approach I, the simple linear relationship, and a more conservative option, Approach III. For each of these two Approaches, the lives are computed for initial semi-elliptic crack configurations in a plate subjected to remote tensile fatigue loading with an R-ratio of 0.1, for an assumed material evaluated using NASGRO (registered 4) version 8.1. These calculations demonstrate that for this loading, using Approach I and the initial detectable crack sizes at the (a/c) endpoints in 5009 specified for the ET and UT NDE methods, the smallest life is not at the two required limits of the (a/c) range, but rather is at an intermediate configuration in the range (a/c) of 0.4 to 0.6. Similar analyses using both Approach I and III with the initial detectable crack size at the (a/c) endpoints in 5009 for PT NDE showed the smallest life may be at an (a/c) endpoint or an intermediate (a/c), depending upon which Approach is used. As such, analyses that interrogate only the two (a/c) values of 0.2 and 1 may result in unconservative life predictions. The standard practice may need to be revised based on these results.

P-T phase diagram and structural transformations of molten P2O5 under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brazhkin, V. V.; Katayama, Y.; Lyapin, A. G.; Saitoh, H.

2014-03-01

The P2O5 compound is an archetypical glass-forming oxide with a record high hygroscopicity, which makes its study extremely difficult. We present the in situ x-ray diffraction study of the pressure-temperature phase diagram of P2O5 and, particularly, of the liquid P2O5 structure under high pressure up to 10 GPa. Additionally, quenching from the melt has been used to extend the melting curve up to 15 GPa. We found that structural transformation in the liquid P2O5 under pressure is unique and includes three stages: first, the disappearance of the intermediate range order of the melt together with a slow increase in the average first-coordination number (P-O and O-P neighbors) up to 4 GPa; second, the "normal" compression almost without structural modification at higher pressures up to 8-9 GPa; and, finally, the abrupt change of the short-range order structure of the liquid with the jumplike increase at 9-10 GPa. The last stage correlates with the melting curve maximum (≈1250 °C) at ≈10 GPa and can be interpreted as a transformation to the liquid phase with entirely fivefold-coordinated phosphorus and twofold-coordinated oxygen atoms.

A variable conductance gas switch for intermediate temperature operation of liquid He/liquid N2 cryostats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rayner, J. T.; Chuter, T. C.; Mclean, I. S.; Radostitz, J. V.; Nolt, I. G.

1988-01-01

A technique for establishing a stable intermediate temperature stage in liquid He/liquid N2 double vessel cryostats is described. The tertiary cold stage, which can be tuned to any temperature between 10 and 60 K, is ideal for cooling IR sensors for use in astronomy and physics applications. The device is called a variable-conductance gas switch. It is essentially a small chamber, located between the cold stage and liquid helium cold-face, whose thermal conductance may be controlled by varying the pressure of helium gas within the chamber. A key feature of this device is the large range of temperature control achieved with a very small (less than 10 mW) heat input from the cryogenic temperature control switch.

Rheology and Seismic Potential of Experimentally-Deformed Natural Serpentinites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasc, J.; Hilairet, N.; Wang, Y.; Yu, T.; Ferrand, T. P.; Schubnel, A.

2016-12-01

The origin of intermediate-depth earthquakes, which occur at depths of 60-300 km along subducting slabs, remains somehow enigmatic. In the pressure and temperature conditions involved, rocks should indeed deform in a ductile fashion. One, or more, mechanism is therefore responsible for mechanical instabilities. Dehydration embrittlement, due to serpentine breakdown, was long considered a good candidate. However, in recent years, experimental studies have challenged this theory, by showing that deformation and faulting of serpentinites, related to dehydration, occurs in a stable and aseismic way (Chernak and Hirth, 2011; Gasc et al., 2011). In order to assess the seismic potential of serpentinites, high pressure deformation experiments were carried out on natural samples, during which micro-seismicity was monitored by recording Acoustic Emissions (AE's). Deformation was performed at pressures of 3-5 GPa, using a Deformation-DIA device, and over a wide range of temperatures, both within and outside antigorite's stability field. The results show that, below 400 C, serpentinite deformation involves aseismic semi-brittle mechanisms, even in cases where strain localization is observed. At high temperature (i.e., above 600 C), despite conditions propitious to dehydration embrittlement (i.e., with fast strain rates and reaction kinetics), joint deformation and dehydration leads to ductile shear, without generation of AE's. On the other hand, a brittle temperature window, centered at ca. 500 C, is evidenced. In this latter case, AE's are consistently collected upon deformation and faulting with extremely sharp strain localization is observed. This brittle field may therefore be a source of seismicity in subducting slabs at mantle pressures. However, analysis of the acoustic signal shows that it is relatively orders of magnitude weaker than its real-earth counterparts, which suggests that other mechanisms are responsible for larger intermediate-depth earthquakes. In fact, recent results on samples composed of antigorite and olivine mixtures (Ferrand et al., under review), show that mechanical instabilities develop upon antigorite dehydration, thus suggesting that the largest intermediate-depth earthquakes arise in partly hydrated peridotites.

Faulting of natural serpentinite: Implications for intermediate-depth seismicity

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

Gasc, Julien; Hilairet, Nadège; Yu, Tony

The seismic potential of serpentinites at high pressure was investigated via deformation experiments on cored natural serpentinite samples, during which micro-seismicity was monitored by recording Acoustic Emissions (AEs). Deformation was performed at pressures of 3–5 GPa, using a Deformation-DIA device, and over a wide range of temperatures, both within and outside antigorite's stability field. Below 400 °C, serpentinite deformation involves “silent” semi-brittle mechanisms, even in cases where strain localization is observed. At high temperature (i.e., above 600 °C), despite conditions propitious to dehydration embrittlement (i.e., fast strain rates and reaction kinetics), joint deformation and dehydration lead to ductile shear, withoutmore » generation of AEs. Brittle behavior was observed in a narrow temperature window ca. 500 °C. In this latter case, AEs are consistently observed upon faulting and extremely sharp strain localization is observed in recovered samples. The resulting microstructures are consistent with the inverse ductile-to-brittle transition proposed by Proctor and Hirth (2016) in antigorite. This may therefore be a source of seismicity in subducting slabs at mantle pressures and temperatures from 500 to 600 °C. However, the acoustic signal observed here is orders of magnitude weaker than what is obtained at low PT conditions with brittle failure, consistently with low radiation efficiency of serpentinite faulting (Prieto et al., 2013) and suggests that other mechanisms are responsible for large intermediate-depth earthquakes. In fact, the present results are in line with a recent study (Ferrand et al., 2017), that suggests that intermediate earthquakes are likely induced by mechanical instabilities due to dehydration in partly hydrated peridotites.« less

Combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Wiebe, David J; Fox, Timothy A

2015-04-28

A combustor assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a combustor device, a fuel injection system, a transition duct, and an intermediate duct. The combustor device includes a flow sleeve for receiving pressurized air and a liner surrounded by the flow sleeve. The fuel injection system provides fuel to be mixed with the pressurized air and ignited in the liner to create combustion products. The intermediate duct is disposed between the liner and the transition duct so as to define a path for the combustion products to flow from the liner to the transition duct. The intermediate duct is associated with the liner such that movement may occur therebetween, and the intermediate duct is associated with the transition duct such that movement may occur therebetween. The flow sleeve includes structure that defines an axial stop for limiting axial movement of the intermediate duct.

On the collapse pressure of armored bubbles and drops.

PubMed

Pitois, O; Buisson, M; Chateau, X

2015-05-01

Drops and bubbles wrapped in dense monolayers of hydrophobic particles are known to sustain a significant decrease of their internal pressure. Through dedicated experiments we investigate the collapse behavior of such armored water drops as a function of the particle-to-drop size ratio in the range 0.02-0.2. We show that this parameter controls the behavior of the armor during the deflation: at small size ratios the drop shrinkage proceeds through the soft crumpling of the monolayer, at intermediate ratios the drop becomes faceted, and for the largest studied ratios the armor behaves like a granular arch. The results show that each of the three morphological regimes is characterized by an increasing magnitude of the collapse pressure. This increase is qualitatively modeled thanks to a mechanism involving out-of-plane deformations and particle disentanglement in the armor.

SINGLE CRYSTAL DIFFRACTION OF SIDERITE UP TO 54 GPA AND HIGH PRESSURE-HIGH TEMPERATURE PHASES IN THE Fe-C-O SYSTEM (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavina, B.; Dera, P. K.; Downs, R. T.

2009-12-01

Phases in the Fe-C-O system are of interest for the deep carbon cycle, they might play an important role in buffering the mantle fO2. Carbon is also common in the fluid phases that greatly influence the Earth’s processes. The study of the high pressure behavior of siderite and of the phases synthesized after laser heating offers a good opportunity to illustrate the advantages and importance of single crystal diffraction in the high pressure science. The structure of siderite, FeCO3, has been refined up to 54 GPa across the spin pairing transition. Splitting of the diffraction peaks at the transition pressure provides unequivocal evidence of the sharpness of the spin crossover and of the absence of any intermediate volume and therefore of an intermediate spin state at ambient temperature. Diffraction intensities were collected in about 30 minutes at a bending magnet station (HPCAT, APS) and in about one minute at an insertion device station (GSECARS, APS). The quality of the refinement is unvaried in the investigated range, and the results obtained from the two different radiation and detectors are consistent. The refinements provide an accurate and robust determination of the dependence of bond distances and angles with pressure. Subtle structural rearrangements associated with the collapse of the octahedral cation size will be discussed. In situ laser heating is a very powerful method to study minerals at the actual P-T of the Earth’s deep interior. Overcoming the kinetic barriers required for bond breaking and atom diffusion, high pressure-high temperature phases may be synthesized. The analysis of high-pressure phases is very challenging. Diffraction patterns are usually of moderate quality and resolution, furthermore in addition to the sample, the pattern contains the contribution of other phases such as those used to insulate the anvils, to provide a pressure medium and a pressure marker. In several cases after laser heating, we observed phase transitions and growth of large crystallites, here the contribution of different phases could be better distinguished by analyzing the 3-dimensional distribution in the reciprocal space of the diffraction peaks. Laser heating experiments in the Fe-C-O system were conducted in the pressure range 20-140 GPa. The siderite stability field seems narrower than the previous investigations suggested. At least one of the extracted single crystal phases provides evidence of oxidation-reduction reactions.

A New Multiphase Equation of State for SiO 2

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

Maerzke, Katie A.; Gammel, J. Tinka

SiO 2 is found as α-quartz at ambient conditions. Under shock compression, it transforms into a much higher density stishovite-like phase around 20 GPa, then into a liquid phase above 100 GPa. The SESAME library contains older equations of state for α-quartz, polycrystalline quartz, and fused quartz. These equations of state model the material as a single phase; i.e., there is no high pressure phase transition. Somewhat more recently (in 1992), Jon Boettger published equations of state for α-quartz, coesite, and stishovite, along with a phase transition model to mix them. However, we do not have a multiphase EOS thatmore » captures the phase transitions in this material. Others are working on a high-accuracy model for very high pressure SiO 2, since liquid quartz is used as an impedance matching standard above 100 GPa; however, we are focused on the 10-50 GPa range. This intermediate pressure range is most relevant for modeling the decomposition products of silicone polymers such as Sylgard 184 and SX358.« less

Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-27

Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: Background and Issues for Congress Amy F. Woolf Specialist in... Nuclear Weapons Policy January 27, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R43832 Russian Compliance with the Intermediate Range... Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty Congressional Research Service Summary The United States and Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces

Performance back-deduction from a loading to flow coefficient map: Application to radial turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carbonneau, Xavier; Binder, Nicolas

2012-12-01

Radial turbine stages are often used for applications requiring off-design operation, as turbocharging for instance. The off-design ability of such stages is commonly analyzed through the traditional turbine map, plotting the reduced mass-flow against the pressure-ratio, for reduced-speed lines. However, some alternatives are possible, such as the flow-coefficient ( Ψ) to loading-coefficient ( φ) diagram where the pressure-ratio lines are actually straight lines, very convenient property to perform prediction. A robust method re-creating this map from a predicted Ψ-φ diagram is needed. Recent work has shown that this back-deduction quality, without the use of any loss models, depends on the knowledge of an intermediate pressure-ratio. A modelization of this parameter is then proposed. The comparison with both experimental and CFD results is presented, with quite good agreement for mass flow rate and rotational speed, and for the intermediate pressure ratio. The last part of the paper is dedicated to the application of the intermediate pressure-ratio knowledge to the improvement of the deduction of the pressure ratio lines in the Ψ-φ diagram. Beside this improvement, the back-deduction method of the classical map is structured, applied and evaluated.

Dehydration kinetics of talc and 10 Å phase: Consequences for subduction zone seismicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chollet, Mélanie; Daniel, Isabelle; Koga, Kenneth T.; Petitgirard, Sylvain; Morard, Guillaume

2009-06-01

The process of dehydration embrittlement is usually proposed as an explanation for the presence of intermediate-depth earthquakes in subduction zones. It assumes that the release of water by hydrous mineral breakdown is fast enough to provoke brittle failure. We performed high-pressure, high-temperature, dehydration experiments of talc and 10 Å phase coupled with in situ measurement of reaction kinetics using synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Newly developed, X-ray transparent, pressure-sealed, titanium capsule ensured a closed thermochemical environment. From isothermal kinetics data fitted to the Avrami's equation and from the texture of reaction products, we conclude that dehydration rates of these minerals are limited by diffusion. Predicted minimum rates of fluid release range from 10 - 4 to 9 × 10 - 6 m 3fluid m - 3 rock s - 1 , and are fast enough to provoke hydraulic rupture since Maxwell relaxation rate of rocks relevant of subduction zones are slower than the rate of fluid release. These rates are comparable between talc, 10 Å phase and antigorite also [Perrillat, J.-P., Daniel, I., Koga, K.T., Reynard, B., Cardon, H., Crichton, W.A., 2005. Kinetics of antigorite dehydration: a real-time X-ray diffraction study. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 236, 899-913]. Consequently, we suggest that the dehydration of hydrous minerals may eventually be fast enough to trigger the intermediate-depth earthquakes, and that the deepest among intermediate-depth earthquakes may actually locate the limits for dehydration of hydrous minerals in the downgoing lithosphere.

Computer codes for the evaluation of thermodynamic and transport properties for equilibrium air to 30000 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Richard A.; Lee, Kam-Pui; Gupta, Roop N.

1991-01-01

The computer codes developed here provide self-consistent thermodynamic and transport properties for equilibrium air for temperatures from 500 to 30000 K over a temperature range of 10 (exp -4) to 10 (exp -2) atm. These properties are computed through the use of temperature dependent curve fits for discrete values of pressure. Interpolation is employed for intermediate values of pressure. The curve fits are based on mixture values calculated from an 11-species air model. Individual species properties used in the mixture relations are obtained from a recent study by the present authors. A review and discussion of the sources and accuracy of the curve fitted data used herein are given in NASA RP 1260.

Propagule Limitation, Disparate Habitat Quality, and Variation in Phenotypic Selection at a Local Species Range Boundary

PubMed Central

Moore, Kara A.; Stanton, Maureen L.

2014-01-01

Adaptation to novel conditions beyond current range boundaries requires the presence of suitable sites within dispersal range, but may be impeded when emigrants encounter poor habitat and sharply different selection pressures. We investigated fine-scale spatial heterogeneity in ecological dynamics and selection at a local population boundary of the annual plant Gilia tricolor. In two years, we planted G. tricolor seeds in core habitat, margin habitat at the edge of the local range, and exterior habitat in order to measure spatial and temporal variation in habitat quality, opportunity for selection, and selection on phenotypic traits. We found a striking decline in average habitat quality with distance from the population core, yet some migrant seeds were successful in suitable, unoccupied microsites at and beyond the range boundary. Total and direct selection on four out of five measured phenotypic traits varied across habitat zones, as well as between years. Moreover, the margin habitat often exerted unique selection pressures that were not intermediate between core and exterior habitats. This study reveals that a combination of ecological and evolutionary forces, including propagule limitation, variation in habitat quality and spatial heterogeneity in phenotypic selection may reduce opportunities for adaptive range expansion, even across a very local population boundary. PMID:24717472

Computerized method and system for designing an aerodynamic focusing lens stack

DOEpatents

Gard, Eric [San Francisco, CA; Riot, Vincent [Oakland, CA; Coffee, Keith [Diablo Grande, CA; Woods, Bruce [Livermore, CA; Tobias, Herbert [Kensington, CA; Birch, Jim [Albany, CA; Weisgraber, Todd [Brentwood, CA

2011-11-22

A computerized method and system for designing an aerodynamic focusing lens stack, using input from a designer related to, for example, particle size range to be considered, characteristics of the gas to be flowed through the system, the upstream temperature and pressure at the top of a first focusing lens, the flow rate through the aerodynamic focusing lens stack equivalent at atmosphere pressure; and a Stokes number range. Based on the design parameters, the method and system determines the total number of focusing lenses and their respective orifice diameters required to focus the particle size range to be considered, by first calculating for the orifice diameter of the first focusing lens in the Stokes formula, and then using that value to determine, in iterative fashion, intermediate flow values which are themselves used to determine the orifice diameters of each succeeding focusing lens in the stack design, with the results being output to a designer. In addition, the Reynolds numbers associated with each focusing lens as well as exit nozzle size may also be determined to enhance the stack design.

Ab initio chemical kinetics for the ClOO + NO reaction: Effects of temperature and pressure on product branching formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raghunath, P.; Lin, M. C.

2012-07-01

The kinetics and mechanism for the reaction of ClOO with NO have been investigated by ab initio molecular orbital theory calculations based on the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df)//PW91PW91/6-311+G(3df) method, employed to evaluate the energetics for the construction of potential energy surfaces and prediction of reaction rate constants. The results show that the reaction can produce two key low energy products ClNO + 3O2 via the direct triplet abstraction path and ClO + NO2 via the association and decomposition mechanism through long-lived singlet pc-ClOONO and ClONO2 intermediates. The yield of ClNO + O2 (1△) from any of the singlet intermediates was found to be negligible because of their high barriers and tight transition states. As both key reactions initially occur barrierlessly, their rate constants were evaluated with a canonical variational approach in our transition state theory and Rice-Ramspergen-Kassel-Marcus/master equation calculations. The rate constants for ClNO + 3O2 and ClO + NO2 production from ClOO + NO can be given by 2.66 × 10-16 T1.91 exp(341/T) (200-700 K) and 1.48 × 10-24 T3.99 exp(1711/T) (200-600 K), respectively, independent of pressure below atmospheric pressure. The predicted total rate constant and the yields of ClNO and NO2 in the temperature range of 200-700 K at 10-760 Torr pressure are in close agreement with available experimental results.

Effects of rising angle on upstream blades and intermediate turbine duct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Jun; Wang, Pei; Du, Qiang; Liu, Guang; Zhu, Junqiang

2016-08-01

With the improvement of requirement, design and manufacture technology, aero-engines for the future are characterized by further reduction in fuel consumption, cost, but increment in propulsion efficiency, which leads to ultra-high bypass ratio. The intermediate turbine duct (ITD), which connects the high pressure turbine (HPT) with the low pressure turbine (LPT), has a critical impact on the overall performances of such future engines. Therefore, it becomes more and more urgent to master the design technique of aggressive, even super-aggressive ITDs. Over the last years, a lot of research works about the flow mechanism in the diffuser ducts were carried out. Many achievements were reported, but further investigation should be performed. With the aid of numerical method, this paper focuses on the change of performance and flow field of ITD, as well as nearby turbines, brought by rising angle (RA). Eight ITDs with the same area ratio and length, but different RAs ranges from 8 degrees to 45 degrees, are compared. According to the investigation, flow field, especially outlet Ma of swirl blade is influenced by RA under potential effect, which is advisable for designers to modify HPT rotor blades after changing ITD. In addition to that, low velocity area moves towards upstream until the first bend as RA increases, while pressure loss distribution at S2 stream surface shows that hub boundary layer is more sensitive to RA, and casing layer keeps almost constant. On the other hand, the overall total pressure loss could keep nearly equivalent among different RA cases, which implies the importance of optimization.

Numerical investigation of the effects of rising angle on intermediate turbine duct and nearby turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hongrui; Ji, Lucheng; Liu, Jun; Du, Qiang; Liu, Guang; Wang, Pei; Du, Meimei

2017-10-01

In order to improve the efficiency, ultra-high bypass ratio engine attracts more and more attention because of its huge advantage, which has larger diameter low pressure turbine (LPT). This trend will lead to aggressive (high diffusion) intermediate turbine duct (ITD) design. It is necessary to guide the flow leaving high pressure turbine (HPT) to LPT at a larger diameter without any severe loss generating separation or flow disturbances. In this paper, eight ITDs with upstream swirl vanes and downstream LPT nozzle are investigated with the aid of numerical method. These models are modified from a unique ITD prototype, which comes from a real engine. Key parameters like area ratio, inlet height, and non-dimensional length of the ITDs are kept unchanged, while the rising angle (radial offset) is the only changed parameter which ranges from 8 degrees to 45 degrees. In this paper, the effects of rising angle (RA) on ITD, as well as nearby turbines, will be analyzed in detail. According to the investigation results, RA could be as large as 40 degrees in such model of this paper to escape separation; When RA increases, local inlet flow field of LPT nozzle appears to be with apparent variation; while a positive result is that outlet flow field could be kept almost unchanged through modifying blade profile. On the other hand, it seems optimistic that the overall total pressure loss could be kept nearly equivalent among different RA cases. And a valuable conclusion is that outer wall curvature is more important for pressure loss, which advises a clear direction for optimizing ITD.

[Correlation of intraocular pressure variation after visual field examination with 24-hour intraocular pressure variations in primary open-angle glaucoma].

PubMed

Noro, Takahiko; Nakamoto, Kenji; Sato, Makoto; Yasuda, Noriko; Ito, Yoshinori; Ogawa, Shumpei; Nakano, Tadashi; Tsuneoka, Hiroshi

2014-10-01

We retrospectively examined intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), together with its influencing factors and its association with 24-hour intraocular pressure variations. Subjects were 94 eyes (52 POAG patients) subjected to measurements of 24-hour intraocular pressure and of changes in intraocular pressure after visual field examination using a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. Subjects were classified into three groups according to the magnitude of variation (large, intermediate and small), and 24-hour intraocular pressure variations were compared among the three groups. Factors influencing intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination and those associated with the large variation group were investigated. Average intraocular pressure variation after visual field examination was -0.28 ± 1.90 (range - 6.0(-) + 5.0) mmHg. No significant influencing factors were identified. The intraocular pressure at 3 a.m. was significantly higher in the large variation group than other two groups (p < 0.001). Central corneal thickness was correlated with the large variation group (odds ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.07 ; p = 0.02). No particular tendencies in intraocular pressure variations were found after visual field examination. Increases in intraocular pressure during the night might be associated with large intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination.

Device to lower NOx in a gas turbine engine combustion system

DOEpatents

Laster, Walter R; Schilp, Reinhard; Wiebe, David J

2015-02-24

An emissions control system for a gas turbine engine including a flow-directing structure (24) that delivers combustion gases (22) from a burner (32) to a turbine. The emissions control system includes: a conduit (48) configured to establish fluid communication between compressed air (22) and the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24). The compressed air (22) is disposed at a location upstream of a combustor head-end and exhibits an intermediate static pressure less than a static pressure of the combustion gases within the combustor (14). During operation of the gas turbine engine a pressure difference between the intermediate static pressure and a static pressure of the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24) is effective to generate a fluid flow through the conduit (48).

An experimental and detailed chemical kinetic modeling study of hydrogen and syngas mixture oxidation at elevated pressures

DOE PAGES

Keromnes, Alan; Metcalfe, Wayne K.; Heufer, Karl A.; ...

2013-03-12

The oxidation of syngas mixtures was investigated experimentally and simulated with an updated chemical kinetic model. Ignition delay times for H 2/CO/O 2/N 2/Ar mixtures have been measured using two rapid compression machines and shock tubes at pressures from 1 to 70 bar, over a temperature range of 914–2220 K and at equivalence ratios from 0.1 to 4.0. Results show a strong dependence of ignition times on temperature and pressure at the end of the compression; ignition delays decrease with increasing temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio. The reactivity of the syngas mixtures was found to be governed by hydrogen chemistrymore » for CO concentrations lower than 50% in the fuel mixture. For higher CO concentrations, an inhibiting effect of CO was observed. Flame speeds were measured in helium for syngas mixtures with a high CO content and at elevated pressures of 5 and 10 atm using the spherically expanding flame method. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism for hydrogen and H 2/CO (syngas) mixtures has been updated, rate constants have been adjusted to reflect new experimental information obtained at high pressures and new rate constant values recently published in the literature. Experimental results for ignition delay times and flame speeds have been compared with predictions using our newly revised chemical kinetic mechanism, and good agreement was observed. In the mechanism validation, particular emphasis is placed on predicting experimental data at high pressures (up to 70 bar) and intermediate- to high-temperature conditions, particularly important for applications in internal combustion engines and gas turbines. The reaction sequence H 2 + HO˙ 2 ↔ H˙+H 2O 2 followed by H 2O 2(+M) ↔ O˙H+O˙H(+M) was found to play a key role in hydrogen ignition under high-pressure and intermediate-temperature conditions. The rate constant for H 2+HO˙ 2 showed strong sensitivity to high-pressure ignition times and has considerable uncertainty, based on literature values. As a result, a rate constant for this reaction is recommended based on available literature values and on our mechanism validation.« less

CO- and HCl-free synthesis of acid chlorides from unsaturated hydrocarbons via shuttle catalysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Xianjie; Cacherat, Bastien; Morandi, Bill

2017-11-01

The synthesis of carboxylic acid derivatives from unsaturated hydrocarbons is an important process for the preparation of polymers, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and agrochemicals. Despite its industrial relevance, the traditional Reppe-type carbonylation reaction using pressurized CO is of limited applicability to laboratory-scale synthesis because of: (1) the safety hazards associated with the use of CO, (2) the need for special equipment to handle pressurized gas, (3) the low reactivity of several relevant nucleophiles and (4) the necessity to employ different, often tailor-made, catalytic systems for each nucleophile. Herein we demonstrate that a shuttle-catalysis approach enables a CO- and HCl-free transfer process between an inexpensive reagent, butyryl chloride, and a wide range of unsaturated substrates to access the corresponding acid chlorides in good yields. This new transformation provides access to a broad range of carbonyl-containing products through the in situ transformation of the reactive acid chloride intermediate. In a broader context, this work demonstrates that isodesmic shuttle-catalysis reactions can unlock elusive catalytic reactions.

High temperature tensile and creep behaviour of low pressure plasma-sprayed Ni-Co-Cr-Al-Y coating alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hebsur, M. G.; Miner, R. V.

1986-01-01

The high temperature tensile and creep behavior of low pressure plasma-sprayed plates of a typical Ni-Co-Cr-Al-Y alloy has been studied. From room temperature to 800 K, the Ni-Co-Cr-Al-Y alloy studied has nearly a constant low ductility and a high strength. At higher temperatures, it becomes weak and highly ductile. At and above 1123 K, the behavior is highly dependent on strain rate and exhibits classic superplastic characteristics with a high ductility at intermediate strain rates and a strain rate sensitivity of about 0.5. At either higher or lower strain rates, the ductility decreases and the strain rate sensitivities are about 0.2. In the superplastic deformation range, the activation energy for creep is 120 + or - 20 kJ/mol, suggesting a diffusion-aided grain boundary sliding mechanism. Outside the superplastic range, the activation energy for creep is calculated to be 290 + or - 20 kJ/mol.

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

Chilese, Francis C.; Torczynski, John R.; Garcia, Rudy

An apparatus for use with extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light comprising A) a duct having a first end opening, a second end opening and an intermediate opening intermediate the first end opening the second end opening, B) an optical component disposed to receive EUV light from the second end opening or to send light through the second end opening, and C) a source of low pressure gas at a first pressure to flow through the duct, the gas having a high transmission of EUV light, fluidly coupled to the intermediate opening. In addition to or rather than gas flow the apparatusmore » may have A) a low pressure gas with a heat control unit thermally coupled to at least one of the duct and the optical component and/or B) a voltage device to generate voltage between a first portion and a second portion of the duet with a grounded insulative portion therebetween.« less

Structural transformations and disordering in zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) at high pressure.

PubMed

Salamat, Ashkan; McMillan, Paul F; Firth, Steven; Woodhead, Katherine; Hector, Andrew L; Garbarino, Gaston; Stennett, Martin C; Hyatt, Neil C

2013-02-04

There is interest in identifying novel materials for use in radioactive waste applications and studying their behavior under high pressure conditions. The mineral zirconolite (CaZrTi(2)O(7)) exists naturally in trace amounts in diamond-bearing deep-seated metamorphic/igneous environments, and it is also identified as a potential ceramic phase for radionuclide sequestration. However, it has been shown to undergo radiation-induced metamictization resulting in amorphous forms. In this study we probed the high pressure structural properties of this pyrochlore-like structure to study its phase transformations and possible amorphization behavior. Combined synchrotron X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy studies reveal a series of high pressure phase transformations. Starting from the ambient pressure monoclinic structure, an intermediate phase with P2(1)/m symmetry is produced above 15.6 GPa via a first order transformation resulting in a wide coexistence range. Upon compression to above 56 GPa a disordered metastable phase III with a cotunnite-related structure appears that is recoverable to ambient conditions. We examine the similarity between the zirconolite behavior and the structural evolution of analogous pyrochlore systems under pressure.

Pressure- and heat-induced inactivation of butyrylcholinesterase: evidence for multiple intermediates and the remnant inactivation process.

PubMed Central

Weingand-Ziade, A; Ribes, F; Renault, F; Masson, P

2001-01-01

The inactivation process of native (N) human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) by pressure and/or heat was found to be multi-step. It led to irreversible formation of an active intermediate (I) state and a denatured state. This series-inactivation process was described by expanding the Lumry-Eyring [Lumry, R. and Eyring, H. (1954) J. Phys. Chem. 58, 110-120] model. The intermediate state (I) was found to have a K(m) identical with that of the native state and a turnover rate (k(cat)) twofold higher than that of the native state with butyrylthiocholine as the substrate. The increased catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of I can be explained by a conformational change in the active-site gorge and/or restructuring of the water-molecule network in the active-site pocket, making the catalytic steps faster. However, a pressure/heat-induced covalent modification of native BuChE, affecting the catalytic machinery, cannot be ruled out. The inactivation process of BuChE induced by the combined action of pressure and heat was found to continue after interruption of pressure/temperature treatment. This secondary inactivation process was termed 'remnant inactivation'. We hypothesized that N and I were in equilibrium with populated metastable N' and I' states. The N' and I' states can either return to the active forms, N and I, or develop into inactive forms, N(')(in) and I(')(in). Both active N' and I' intermediate states displayed different rates of remnant inactivation depending on the pressure and temperature pretreatments and on the storage temperature. A first-order deactivation model describing the kinetics of the remnant inactivation of BuChE is proposed. PMID:11368776

Reactive Intermediates or Inert Graphene? Temperature- and Pressure-Determined Evolution of Carbon in the CH 4–Ni(111) System

DOE PAGES

Yuan, Kaidi; Zhong, Jian-Qiang; Sun, Shuo; ...

2017-08-15

Atomic-level identification of carbon intermediates under reaction conditions is essential for carbon-related heterogeneous catalysis. Using the in operando technique of near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we have identified in this paper various carbon intermediates during the thermal decomposition of CH 4 on Ni(111), including *CH, *C 1/Ni 3C, *C n (n ≥ 2), and clock-reconstructed Ni 2C at different temperature regions (300–900 K). These “reactive” carbon precursors can either react with probing molecules such as O 2 at room temperature or be etched away by CH 4. They can also develop into graphene flakes under controlled conditions: a temperature between 800more » and 900 K and a suitable CH 4 pressure (10 –3–10 –1 mbar, depending on temperature). The growth rate of graphene is significantly restrained at higher CH 4 pressures, due to the accelerated etching of its carbon precursors. The identification of in operando carbon intermediates and the control of their evolution have great potential in designing heterogeneous catalysts for the direct conversion of methane. Finally, the observed carbon aggregation/etching equilibrium reveals an underlying mechanism in coking prevention and in the fabrication of large-area single-crystal graphene, where the suppression of seeding density and etching up of small grains are required.« less

Reactive Intermediates or Inert Graphene? Temperature- and Pressure-Determined Evolution of Carbon in the CH 4–Ni(111) System

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

Yuan, Kaidi; Zhong, Jian-Qiang; Sun, Shuo

Atomic-level identification of carbon intermediates under reaction conditions is essential for carbon-related heterogeneous catalysis. Using the in operando technique of near-ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we have identified in this paper various carbon intermediates during the thermal decomposition of CH 4 on Ni(111), including *CH, *C 1/Ni 3C, *C n (n ≥ 2), and clock-reconstructed Ni 2C at different temperature regions (300–900 K). These “reactive” carbon precursors can either react with probing molecules such as O 2 at room temperature or be etched away by CH 4. They can also develop into graphene flakes under controlled conditions: a temperature between 800more » and 900 K and a suitable CH 4 pressure (10 –3–10 –1 mbar, depending on temperature). The growth rate of graphene is significantly restrained at higher CH 4 pressures, due to the accelerated etching of its carbon precursors. The identification of in operando carbon intermediates and the control of their evolution have great potential in designing heterogeneous catalysts for the direct conversion of methane. Finally, the observed carbon aggregation/etching equilibrium reveals an underlying mechanism in coking prevention and in the fabrication of large-area single-crystal graphene, where the suppression of seeding density and etching up of small grains are required.« less

Derivation of intermediate to silicic magma from the basalt analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site, Venus.

PubMed

Shellnutt, J Gregory

2018-01-01

Geochemical modeling using the basalt composition analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site indicates that intermediate to silicic liquids can be generated by fractional crystallization and equilibrium partial melting. Fractional crystallization modeling using variable pressures (0.01 GPa to 0.5 GPa) and relative oxidation states (FMQ 0 and FMQ -1) of either a wet (H2O = 0.5 wt%) or dry (H2O = 0 wt%) parental magma can yield silicic (SiO2 > 60 wt%) compositions that are similar to terrestrial ferroan rhyolite. Hydrous (H2O = 0.5 wt%) partial melting can yield intermediate (trachyandesite to andesite) to silicic (trachydacite) compositions at all pressures but requires relatively high temperatures (≥ 950°C) to generate the initial melt at intermediate to low pressure whereas at high pressure (0.5 GPa) the first melts will be generated at much lower temperatures (< 800°C). Anhydrous partial melt modeling yielded mafic (basaltic andesite) and alkaline compositions (trachybasalt) but the temperature required to produce the first liquid is very high (≥ 1130°C). Consequently, anhydrous partial melting is an unlikely process to generate derivative liquids. The modeling results indicate that, under certain conditions, the Vega 2 composition can generate silicic liquids that produce granitic and rhyolitic rocks. The implication is that silicic igneous rocks may form a small but important component of the northeast Aphrodite Terra.

Derivation of intermediate to silicic magma from the basalt analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site, Venus

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Geochemical modeling using the basalt composition analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site indicates that intermediate to silicic liquids can be generated by fractional crystallization and equilibrium partial melting. Fractional crystallization modeling using variable pressures (0.01 GPa to 0.5 GPa) and relative oxidation states (FMQ 0 and FMQ -1) of either a wet (H2O = 0.5 wt%) or dry (H2O = 0 wt%) parental magma can yield silicic (SiO2 > 60 wt%) compositions that are similar to terrestrial ferroan rhyolite. Hydrous (H2O = 0.5 wt%) partial melting can yield intermediate (trachyandesite to andesite) to silicic (trachydacite) compositions at all pressures but requires relatively high temperatures (≥ 950°C) to generate the initial melt at intermediate to low pressure whereas at high pressure (0.5 GPa) the first melts will be generated at much lower temperatures (< 800°C). Anhydrous partial melt modeling yielded mafic (basaltic andesite) and alkaline compositions (trachybasalt) but the temperature required to produce the first liquid is very high (≥ 1130°C). Consequently, anhydrous partial melting is an unlikely process to generate derivative liquids. The modeling results indicate that, under certain conditions, the Vega 2 composition can generate silicic liquids that produce granitic and rhyolitic rocks. The implication is that silicic igneous rocks may form a small but important component of the northeast Aphrodite Terra. PMID:29584745

Lithium amide (LiNH2) under pressure.

PubMed

Prasad, Dasari L V K; Ashcroft, N W; Hoffmann, Roald

2012-10-11

Static high pressure lithium amide (LiNH(2)) crystal structures are predicted using evolutionary structure search methodologies and intuitive approaches. In the process, we explore the relationship of the structure and properties of solid LiNH(2) to its molecular monomer and dimer, as well as its valence-isoelectronic crystalline phases of methane, water, and ammonia all under pressure. A NaNH(2) (Fddd) structure type is found to be competitive for the ground state of LiNH(2) above 6 GPa with the P = 1 atm I4[overline] phase. Three novel phases emerge at 11 (P4[overline]2(1)m), 13 (P4(2)/ncm), and 46 GPa (P2(1)2(1)2(1)), still containing molecular amide anions, which begin to form N-H···N hydrogen bonds. The P2(1)2(1)2(1) phase remains stable over a wide pressure range. This phase and another Pmc2(1) structure found at 280 GPa have infinite ···(H)N···H···N(H)···H polymeric zigzag chains comprising symmetric N···H···N hydrogen bonds with one NH bond kept out of the chain, an interesting general feature found in many of our high pressure (>280 GPa) LiNH(2) structures, with analogies in high pressure H(2)O-ices. All the predicted low enthalpy LiNH(2) phases are calculated to be enthalpically stable with respect to their elements but resist metallization with increasing pressure up to several TPa. The possibility of Li sublattice melting in the intermediate pressure range structures is raised.

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

Mehl, M; Kukkadapu, G; Kumar, K

The use of gasoline in homogeneous charge compression ignition engines (HCCI) and in duel fuel diesel - gasoline engines, has increased the need to understand its compression ignition processes under engine-like conditions. These processes need to be studied under well-controlled conditions in order to quantify low temperature heat release and to provide fundamental validation data for chemical kinetic models. With this in mind, an experimental campaign has been undertaken in a rapid compression machine (RCM) to measure the ignition of gasoline mixtures over a wide range of compression temperatures and for different compression pressures. By measuring the pressure history duringmore » ignition, information on the first stage ignition (when observed) and second stage ignition are captured along with information on the phasing of the heat release. Heat release processes during ignition are important because gasoline is known to exhibit low temperature heat release, intermediate temperature heat release and high temperature heat release. In an HCCI engine, the occurrence of low-temperature and intermediate-temperature heat release can be exploited to obtain higher load operation and has become a topic of much interest for engine researchers. Consequently, it is important to understand these processes under well-controlled conditions. A four-component gasoline surrogate model (including n-heptane, iso-octane, toluene, and 2-pentene) has been developed to simulate real gasolines. An appropriate surrogate mixture of the four components has been developed to simulate the specific gasoline used in the RCM experiments. This chemical kinetic surrogate model was then used to simulate the RCM experimental results for real gasoline. The experimental and modeling results covered ultra-lean to stoichiometric mixtures, compressed temperatures of 640-950 K, and compression pressures of 20 and 40 bar. The agreement between the experiments and model is encouraging in terms of first-stage (when observed) and second-stage ignition delay times and of heat release rate. The experimental and computational results are used to gain insight into low and intermediate temperature processes during gasoline ignition.« less

Evidence of preorganization in quinonoid intermediate formation from L-Trp in H463F mutant Escherichia coli tryptophan indole-lyase from effects of pressure and pH.

PubMed

Phillips, Robert S; Kalu, Ukoha; Hay, Sam

2012-08-21

The effects of pH and hydrostatic pressure on the reaction of H463F tryptophan indole-lyase (TIL) have been evaluated. The mutant TIL shows very low activity for elimination of indole but is still competent to form a quinonoid intermediate from l-tryptophan [Phillips, R. S., Johnson, N., and Kamath, A. V. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 4012-4019]. Stopped-flow measurements show that the formation of the quinonoid intermediate at 505 nm is affected by pH, with a bell-shaped dependence for the forward rate constant, k(f), and dependence on a single basic group for the reverse rate constant, k(r), with the following values: pK(a1) = 8.14 ± 0.15, pK(a2) = 7.54 ± 0.15, k(f,min) = 18.1 ± 1.3 s(-1), k(f,max) = 179 ± 46.3 s(-1), k(r,min) = 11.4 ± 1.2 s(-1), and k(r,max) = 33 ± 1.6 s(-1). The pH effects may be due to ionization of Tyr74 as the base and Cys298 as the acid influencing the rate constant for deprotonation. High-pressure stopped-flow measurements were performed at pH 8, which is the optimum for the forward reaction. The rate constants show an increase with pressure up to 100 MPa and a subsequent decrease above 100 MPa. Fitting the pressure data gives the following values: k(f,0) = 15.4 ± 0.8 s(-1), ΔV(‡) = -29.4 ± 2.9 cm(3) mol(-1), and Δβ(‡) = -0.23 ± 0.03 cm(3) mol(-1) MPa(-1) for the forward reaction, and k(r,0) = 20.7 ± 0.8 s(-1), ΔV(‡) = -9.6 ± 2.3 cm(3) mol(-1), and Δβ(‡) = -0.05 ± 0.02 cm(3) mol(-1) MPa(-1) for the reverse reaction. The primary kinetic isotope effect on quinonoid intermediate formation at pH 8 is small (~2) and is not significantly pressure-dependent, suggesting that the effect of pressure on k(f) may be due to perturbation of an active site preorganization step. The negative activation volume is also consistent with preorganization of the ES complex prior to quinonoid intermediate formation, and the negative compressibility may be due to the effect of pressure on the enzyme conformation. These results support the conclusion that the preorganization of the H463F TIL Trp complex, which is probably dominated by motion of the l-Trp indole moiety of the aldimine complex, contributes to quinonoid intermediate formation.

Seismic imaging of slab metamorphism and genesis of intermediate-depth intraslab earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, Akira; Nakajima, Junichi

2017-12-01

We review studies of intermediate-depth seismicity and seismic imaging of the interior of subducting slabs in relation to slab metamorphism and their implications for the genesis of intermediate-depth earthquakes. Intermediate-depth events form a double seismic zone in the depth range of c. 40-180 km, which occur only at locations where hydrous minerals are present, and are particularly concentrated along dehydration reaction boundaries. Recent studies have revealed detailed spatial distributions of these events and a close relationship with slab metamorphism. Pressure-temperature paths of the crust for cold slabs encounter facies boundaries with large H2O production rates and positive total volume change, which are expected to cause highly active seismicity near the facies boundaries. A belt of upper-plane seismicity in the crust nearly parallel to 80-90 km depth contours of the slab surface has been detected in the cold Pacific slab beneath eastern Japan, and is probably caused by slab crust dehydration with a large H2O production rate. A seismic low-velocity layer in the slab crust persists down to the depth of this upper-plane seismic belt, which provides evidence for phase transformation of dehydration at this depth. Similar low-velocity subducting crust closely related with intraslab seismicity has been detected in several other subduction zones. Seismic tomography studies in NE Japan and northern Chile also revealed the presence of a P-wave low-velocity layer along the lower plane of a double seismic zone. However, in contrast to predictions based on the serpentinized mantle, S-wave velocity along this layer is not low. Seismic anisotropy and pore aspect ratio may play a role in generating this unique structure. Although further validation is required, observations of these distinct low P-wave velocities along the lower seismic plane suggest the presence of hydrated rocks or fluids within that layer. These observations support the hypothesis that dehydration-derived H2O causes intermediate-depth intraslab earthquakes. However, it is possible that dual mechanisms generate these earthquakes; the initiation of earthquake rupture may be caused by local excess pore pressure from H2O, and subsequent ruptures may propagate through thermal shear instability. In either case, slab-derived H2O plays an important role in generating intermediate-depth events.

Computational Chemical Kinetics for the Reaction of Criegee Intermediate CH2OO with HNO3 and Its Catalytic Conversion to OH and HCO.

PubMed

Raghunath, P; Lee, Yuan-Pern; Lin, M C

2017-05-25

The kinetics and mechanisms for the reaction of the Criegee intermediate CH 2 OO with HNO 3 and the unimolecular decomposition of its reaction product CH 2 (O)NO 3 are important in atmospheric chemistry. The potential-energy profile of the reactions predicted with the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ method shows that the initial association yields a prereaction complex that isomerizes by H migration to yield excited intermediate nitrooxymethyl hydroperoxide NO 3 CH 2 OOH* with internal energy ∼44 kcal mol -1 . A fragmentation of this excited intermediate produces CH 2 (O)NO 3 + OH with its transition state located 5.0 kcal mol -1 below that of the reactants. Further decomposition of CH 2 (O)NO 3 produces HCO + HNO 3 , forming a catalytic cycle for destruction of CH 2 OO by HNO 3 . The rate coefficients and product-branching ratios were calculated in the temperature range 250-700 K at pressure 20-760 Torr (N 2 ) using the variational-transition-state and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theories. The predicted total rate coefficient for reaction CH 2 OO + HNO 3 at 295 K, 5.1 × 10 -10 cm 3 molecule -1 s -1 , agrees satisfactorily with the experimental value, (5.4 ± 1.0) × 10 -10 cm 3 molecule -1 s -1 . The predicted branching ratios at 295 K are 0.21 for the formation of NO 3 CH 2 OOH and 0.79 for CH 2 (O)NO 3 + OH at a pressure of 40 Torr (N 2 ), and 0.79 for the formation of NO 3 CH 2 OOH and 0.21 for CH 2 (O)NO 3 + OH at 760 Torr (N 2 ). This new catalytic conversion of CH 2 OO to HCO + OH by HNO 3 might have significant impact on atmospheric chemistry.

Auto-ignitions of a methane/air mixture at high and intermediate temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leschevich, V. V.; Martynenko, V. V.; Penyazkov, O. G.; Sevrouk, K. L.; Shabunya, S. I.

2016-09-01

A rapid compression machine (RCM) and a shock tube (ST) have been employed to study ignition delay times of homogeneous methane/air mixtures at intermediate-to-high temperatures. Both facilities allow measurements to be made at temperatures of 900-2000 K, at pressures of 0.38-2.23 MPa, and at equivalence ratios of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0. In ST experiments, nitrogen served as a diluent gas, whereas in RCM runs the diluent gas composition ranged from pure nitrogen to pure argon. Recording pressure, UV, and visible emissions identified the evolution of chemical reactions. Correlations of ignition delay time were generated from the data for each facility. At temperatures below 1300 K, a significant reduction of average activation energy from 53 to 15.3 kcal/mol was obtained. Moreover, the RCM data showed significant scatter that dramatically increased with decreasing temperature. An explanation for the abnormal scatter in the data was proposed based on the high-speed visualization of auto-ignition phenomena and experiments performed with oxygen-free and fuel-free mixtures. It is proposed that the main reason for such a significant reduction of average activation energy is attributable to the premature ignition of ultrafine particles in the reactive mixture.

Seismic variability of subduction thrust faults: Insights from laboratory models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corbi, F.; Funiciello, F.; Faccenna, C.; Ranalli, G.; Heuret, A.

2011-06-01

Laboratory models are realized to investigate the role of interface roughness, driving rate, and pressure on friction dynamics. The setup consists of a gelatin block driven at constant velocity over sand paper. The interface roughness is quantified in terms of amplitude and wavelength of protrusions, jointly expressed by a reference roughness parameter obtained by their product. Frictional behavior shows a systematic dependence on system parameters. Both stick slip and stable sliding occur, depending on driving rate and interface roughness. Stress drop and frequency of slip episodes vary directly and inversely, respectively, with the reference roughness parameter, reflecting the fundamental role for the amplitude of protrusions. An increase in pressure tends to favor stick slip. Static friction is a steeply decreasing function of the reference roughness parameter. The velocity strengthening/weakening parameter in the state- and rate-dependent dynamic friction law becomes negative for specific values of the reference roughness parameter which are intermediate with respect to the explored range. Despite the simplifications of the adopted setup, which does not address the problem of off-fault fracturing, a comparison of the experimental results with the depth distribution of seismic energy release along subduction thrust faults leads to the hypothesis that their behavior is primarily controlled by the depth- and time-dependent distribution of protrusions. A rough subduction fault at shallow depths, unable to produce significant seismicity because of low lithostatic pressure, evolves into a moderately rough, velocity-weakening fault at intermediate depths. The magnitude of events in this range is calibrated by the interplay between surface roughness and subduction rate. At larger depths, the roughness further decreases and stable sliding becomes gradually more predominant. Thus, although interplate seismicity is ultimately controlled by tectonic parameters (velocity of the plates/trench and the thermal regime), the direct control is exercised by the resulting frictional properties of the plate interface.

The gas-phase reaction between silylene and 2-butyne: kinetics, isotope studies, pressure dependence studies and quantum chemical calculations.

PubMed

Becerra, Rosa; Cannady, J Pat; Dormer, Guy; Walsh, Robin

2009-07-14

Time-resolved kinetic studies of the reactions of silylene, SiH(2), and dideutero-silylene, SiD(2), generated by laser flash photolysis of phenylsilane and phenylsilane-d(3), respectively, have been carried out to obtain rate coefficients for their bimolecular reactions with 2-butyne, CH(3)C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCH(3). The reactions were studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF(6) bath gas at five temperatures in the range 294-612 K. The second-order rate coefficients, obtained by extrapolation to the high pressure limits at each temperature, fitted the Arrhenius equations where the error limits are single standard deviations: log(k(H)(Infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (-9.67 +/- 0.04) + (1.71 +/- 0.33) kJ mol(1)/RTIn10log(k(D)(Infinity)/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) = (-9.65 +/- 0.01) + (1.92 +/- 0.13) kJ mol(-1)/RTIn10. Additionally, pressure-dependent rate coefficients for the reaction of SiH(2) with 2-butyne in the presence of He (1-100 Torr) were obtained at 301, 429 and 613 K. Quantum chemical (ab initio) calculations of the SiC(4)H(8) reaction system at the G3 level support the formation of 2,3-dimethylsilirene [cyclo-SiH(2)C(CH(3))[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(3))-] as the sole end product. However, reversible formation of 2,3-dimethylvinylsilylene [CH(3)CH[double bond, length as m-dash]C(CH(3))SiH] is also an important process. The calculations also indicate the probable involvement of several other intermediates, and possible products. RRKM calculations are in reasonable agreement with the pressure dependences at an enthalpy value for 2,3-dimethylsilirene fairly close to that suggested by the ab initio calculations. The experimental isotope effects deviate significantly from those predicted by RRKM theory. The differences can be explained by an isotopic scrambling mechanism, involving H-D exchange between the hydrogens of the methyl groups and the D-atoms in the ring in 2,3-dimethylsilirene-1,1-d(2). A detailed mechanism involving several intermediate species, which is consistent with the G3 energy surface, is proposed to account for this.

Pressure effect on magnetic susceptibility of LaCoO3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panfilov, A. S.; Grechnev, G. E.; Zhuravleva, I. P.; Lyogenkaya, A. A.; Pashchenko, V. A.; Savenko, B. N.; Novoselov, D.; Prabhakaran, D.; Troyanchuk, I. O.

2018-04-01

The effect of pressure on magnetic properties of LaCoO3 is studied experimentally and theoretically. The pressure dependence of magnetic susceptibility χ of LaCoO3 is obtained by precise measurements of χ as a function of the hydrostatic pressure P up to 2 kbar in the temperature range from 78 K to 300 K. A pronounced magnitude of the pressure effect is found to be negative in sign and strongly temperature dependent. The obtained experimental data are analysed by using a two-level model and DFT+U calculations of the electronic structure of LaCoO3. In particular, the fixed spin moment method was employed to obtain a volume dependence of the total energy difference Δ between the low spin and the intermediate spin states of LaCoO3. Analysis of the obtained experimental χ(P) dependence within the two-level model, as well as our DFT+U calculations, have revealed the anomalous large decrease in the energy difference Δ with increasing of the unit cell volume. This effect, taking into account a thermal expansion, can be responsible for the temperatures dependence of Δ, predicting its vanishing near room temperature.

Preliminary Design of Critical Function Monitoring System of PGSFR

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

NONE

2015-07-01

A PGSFR (Prototype Gen-IV Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor) is under development at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. A critical function monitoring system of the PGSFR is preliminarily studied. The functions of CFMS are to display critical plant variables related to the safety of the plant during normal and accident conditions and guide the operators corrective actions to keep the plant in a safe condition and mitigate the consequences of accidents. The minimal critical functions of the PGSFR are composed of reactivity control, reactor core cooling, reactor coolant system integrity, primary heat transfer system(PHTS) heat removal, sodium water reaction mitigation, radiation controlmore » and containment conditions. The variables and alarm legs of each critical function of the PGSFR are as follows; - Reactivity control: The variables of reactivity control function are power range neutron flux instrumentation, intermediate range neutron flux instrumentation, source range neutron flux instrumentation, and control rod bottom contacts. The alarm leg to display the reactivity controls consists of status of control drop malfunction, high post trip power and thermal reactivity addition. - Reactor core cooling: The variables are PHTS sodium level, hot pool temperature of PHTS, subassembly exit temperature, cold pool temperature of the PHTS, PHTS pump current, and PHTS pump breaker status. The alarm leg consists of high core delta temperature, low sodium level of the PHTS, high subassembly exit temperature, and low PHTS pump load. - Reactor coolant system integrity: The variables are PHTS sodium level, cover gas pressure, and safeguard vessel sodium level. The alarm leg is composed of low sodium level of PHTS, high cover gas pressure and high sodium level of the safety guard vessel. - PHTS heat removal: The variables are PHTS sodium level, hot pool temperature of PHTS, core exit temperature, cold pool temperature of the PHTS, flow rate of passive residual heat removal system, flow rate of active residual heat removal system, and temperatures of air heat exchanger temperature of residual heat removal systems. The alarm legs are composed of two legs of a 'passive residual heat removal system not cooling' and 'active residual heat removal system not cooling'. - Sodium water reaction mitigation: The variables are intermediate heat transfer system(IHTS) pressure, pressure and temperature and level of sodium dump tank, the status of rupture disk, hydrogen concentration in IHTS and direct variable of sodium-water-reaction measure. The alarm leg consists of high IHTS pressure, the status of sodium water reaction mitigation system and the indication of direct measure. - Radiation control: The variables are radiation of PHTS, radiation of IHTS, and radiation of containment purge. The alarm leg is composed of high radiation of PHTS and IHTS, and containment purge system. - Containment condition: The variables are containment pressure, containment isolation status, and sodium fire. The alarm leg consists of high containment pressure, status of containment isolation and status of sodium fire. (authors)« less

Plasma interactions determine the composition in pulsed laser deposited thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jikun; Döbeli, Max; Stender, Dieter; Conder, Kazimierz; Wokaun, Alexander; Schneider, Christof W.; Lippert, Thomas

2014-09-01

Plasma chemistry and scattering strongly affect the congruent, elemental transfer during pulsed laser deposition of target metal species in an oxygen atmosphere. Studying the plasma properties of La0.6Sr0.4MnO3, we demonstrate for as grown La0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ films that a congruent transfer of metallic species is achieved in two pressure windows: ˜10-3 mbar and ˜2 × 10-1 mbar. In the intermediate pressure range, La0.6Sr0.4MnO3-δ becomes cation deficient and simultaneously almost fully stoichiometric in oxygen. Important for thin film growth is the presence of negative atomic oxygen and under which conditions positive metal-oxygen ions are created in the plasma. This insight into the plasma chemistry shows why the pressure window to obtain films with a desired composition and crystalline structure is narrow and requires a careful adjustment of the process parameters.

Wave height estimates from pressure and velocity data at an intermediate depth in the presence of uniform currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Biswajit

2017-12-01

Bounds on estimates of wave heights (valid for large amplitudes) from pressure and flow measurements at an arbitrary intermediate depth have been provided. Two-dimensional irrotational steady water waves over a flat bed with a finite depth in the presence of underlying uniform currents have been considered in the analysis. Five different upper bounds based on a combination of pressure and velocity field measurements have been derived, though there is only one available lower bound on the wave height in the case of the speed of current greater than or less than the wave speed. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nonlinear water waves'.

Study of parameter of nonlinearity in 2-chloroethanol with 2-dimethylethanolamine/2-diethylethanolamine at different temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Awasthi, Anjali; Awasthi, Aashees

2017-06-01

The acoustic non-linearity parameter (B/A) for binary mixtures of 2-chloroethanol with 2-dimethylethanolamine (2-DMAE) and 2-diethylethanolamine (2-DEAE) are evaluated using Tong Dong, Beyer and Beyer-Tong Dong coefficients at varying concentrations and temperatures ranging from 293.15 to 313.15 K. The nonlinearity parameter is used to calculate various molecular properties such as internal pressure, cohesive energy density, Van der waals' constant, distance of closest approach, diffusion coefficient and rotational correlation time. Additionally, the intermediate quantities like temperature and pressure derivatives of sound velocity and phase shift parameter as a function of temperature are also deduced. The extent of intermolecular interactions, anharmonicity and structural configuration of the binaries under investigation are discussed in terms of excess non-linearity parameter (B/A)E.

Non-linear lumped model circuit of capacitively coupled plasmas at the intermediate radio-frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shihab, Mohammed

2018-06-01

The discharge dynamics in geometrically asymmetric capacitively coupled plasmas are investigated via a lumped model circuit. A realistic reactor configuration is assumed. A single and two separate RF voltage sources are considered. One of the driven frequencies (the higher frequency) has been adjusted to excite a plasma series resonance, while the second frequency (the lower frequency) is in the range of the ion plasma frequency. Increasing the plasma pressure in the low pressure regime (≤ 100mTorr) is found to diminish the amplitude of the self-excited harmonics of the discharge current, however, the net result is enhancing the plasma heating. The modulation of the ion density with the lower driving frequency affect the plasma heating considerably. The net effect depends on the amplitude and the phase of the ion modulation.

Segmented SiGe-PbTe couples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggers, P. E.; Mueller, J. J.

1969-01-01

New design of segmented couples incorporates an intermediate junction contacted by pressure, and eliminates transition members that bond materials differing in thermal expansion. Development of a reproducible and reliable intermediate junction between PbTe and SiGe will be applicable to direct conversion of energy.

Effects of intermediate wettability on entry capillary pressure in angular pores.

PubMed

Rabbani, Harris Sajjad; Joekar-Niasar, Vahid; Shokri, Nima

2016-07-01

Entry capillary pressure is one of the most important factors controlling drainage and remobilization of the capillary-trapped phases as it is the limiting factor against the two-phase displacement. It is known that the entry capillary pressure is rate dependent such that the inertia forces would enhance entry of the non-wetting phase into the pores. More importantly the entry capillary pressure is wettability dependent. However, while the movement of a meniscus into a strongly water-wet pore is well-defined, the invasion of a meniscus into a weak or intermediate water-wet pore especially in the case of angular pores is ambiguous. In this study using OpenFOAM software, high-resolution direct two-phase flow simulations of movement of a meniscus in a single capillary channel are performed. Interface dynamics in angular pores under drainage conditions have been simulated under constant flow rate boundary condition at different wettability conditions. Our results shows that the relation between the half corner angle of pores and contact angle controls the temporal evolution of capillary pressure during the invasion of a pore. By deviating from pure water-wet conditions, a dip in the temporal evolution of capillary pressure can be observed which will be pronounced in irregular angular cross sections. That enhances the pore invasion with a smaller differential pressure. The interplay between the contact angle and pore geometry can have significant implications for enhanced remobilization of ganglia in intermediate contact angles in real porous media morphologies, where pores are very heterogeneous with small shape factors. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A multi-faceted tailored strategy to implement an electronic clinical decision support system for pressure ulcer prevention in nursing homes: a two-armed randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Beeckman, Dimitri; Clays, Els; Van Hecke, Ann; Vanderwee, Katrien; Schoonhoven, Lisette; Verhaeghe, Sofie

2013-04-01

Frail older people admitted to nursing homes are at risk of a range of adverse outcomes, including pressure ulcers. Clinical decision support systems are believed to have the potential to improve care and to change the behaviour of healthcare professionals. To determine whether a multi-faceted tailored strategy to implement an electronic clinical decision support system for pressure ulcer prevention improves adherence to recommendations for pressure ulcer prevention in nursing homes. Two-armed randomized controlled trial in a nursing home setting in Belgium. The trial consisted of a 16-week implementation intervention between February and June 2010, including one baseline, four intermediate, and one post-testing measurement. Primary outcome was the adherence to guideline-based care recommendations (in terms of allocating adequate pressure ulcer prevention in residents at risk). Secondary outcomes were the change in resident outcomes (pressure ulcer prevalence) and intermediate outcomes (knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals). Random sample of 11 wards (6 experimental; 5 control) in a convenience sample of 4 nursing homes in Belgium. In total, 464 nursing home residents and 118 healthcare professionals participated. The experimental arm was involved in a multi-faceted tailored implementation intervention of a clinical decision support system, including interactive education, reminders, monitoring, feedback and leadership. The control arm received a hard-copy of the pressure ulcer prevention protocol, supported by standardized 30 min group lecture. Patients in the intervention arm were significantly more likely to receive fully adequate pressure ulcer prevention when seated in a chair (F=16.4, P=0.003). No significant improvement was observed on pressure ulcer prevalence and knowledge of the professionals. While baseline attitude scores were comparable between both groups [exp. 74.3% vs. contr. 74.5% (P=0.92)], the mean score after the intervention was 83.5% in the experimental group vs. 72.1% in the control group (F=15.12, P<0.001). The intervention was only partially successful to improve the primary outcome. Attitudes improved significantly while the knowledge of the healthcare workers remained unsatisfactorily low. Further research should focus on the underlying reasons for these findings. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ionization cross section, pressure shift and isotope shift measurements of osmium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirayama, Yoshikazu; Mukai, Momo; Watanabe, Yutaka; Oyaizu, Michihiro; Ahmed, Murad; Kakiguchi, Yutaka; Kimura, Sota; Miyatake, Hiroari; Schury, Peter; Wada, Michiharu; Jeong, Sun-Chan

2017-11-01

In-gas-cell laser resonance ionization spectroscopy of neutral osmium atoms was performed with the use of a two-color two-step laser resonance ionization technique. Saturation curves for the ionization scheme were measured, and the ionization cross section was experimentally determined by solving the rate equations for the ground, intermediate and ionization continuum populations. The pressure shift and pressure broadening in the resonance spectra of the excitation transition were measured. The electronic factor {F}247 for the transition {λ }1=247.7583 nm to the intermediate state was deduced from the measured isotope shifts of stable {}{188,189,{190,192}}Os isotopes. The efficient ionization scheme, pressure shift, nuclear isotope shift and {F}247 are expected to be useful for applications of laser ion sources to unstable nuclei and for nuclear spectroscopy based on laser ionization techniques.

Elastic electron differential cross sections for argon atom in the intermediate energy range from 40 eV to 300 eV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranković, Miloš Lj.; Maljković, Jelena B.; Tökési, Károly; Marinković, Bratislav P.

2018-02-01

Measurements and calculations for electron elastic differential cross sections (DCS) of argon atom in the energy range from 40 to 300 eV are presented. DCS have been measured in the crossed beam arrangement of the electron spectrometer with an energy resolution of 0.5 eV and angular resolution of 1.5∘ in the range of scattering angles from 20∘ to 126∘. Both angular behaviour and energy dependence of DCS are obtained in a separate sets of experiments, while the absolute scale is achieved via relative flow method, using helium as a reference gas. All data is corrected for the energy transmission function, changes of primary electron beam current and target pressure, and effective path length (volume correction). DCSs are calculated in relativistic framework by expressing the Mott's cross sections in partial wave expansion. Our results are compared with other available data.

Snowpack, fire, and forest disturbance: interactions affect montane invasions by non-native shrubs.

PubMed

Stevens, Jens T; Latimer, Andrew M

2015-06-01

Montane regions worldwide have experienced relatively low plant invasion rates, a trend attributed to increased climatic severity, low rates of disturbance, and reduced propagule pressure relative to lowlands. Manipulative experiments at elevations above the invasive range of non-native species can clarify the relative contributions of these mechanisms to montane invasion resistance, yet such experiments are rare. Furthermore, global climate change and land use changes are expected to cause decreases in snowpack and increases in disturbance by fire and forest thinning in montane forests. We examined the importance of these factors in limiting montane invasions using a field transplant experiment above the invasive range of two non-native lowland shrubs, Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), in the rain-snow transition zone of the Sierra Nevada of California. We tested the effects of canopy closure, prescribed fire, and winter snow depth on demographic transitions of each species. Establishment of both species was most likely at intermediate levels of canopy disturbance, but at this intermediate canopy level, snow depth had negative effects on winter survival of seedlings. We used matrix population models to show that an 86% reduction in winter snowfall would cause a 2.8-fold increase in population growth rates in Scotch broom and a 3.5-fold increase in Spanish broom. Fall prescribed fire increased germination rates, but decreased overall population growth rates by reducing plant survival. However, at longer fire return intervals, population recovery between fires is likely to keep growth rates high, especially under low snowpack conditions. Many treatment combinations had positive growth rates despite being above the current invasive range, indicating that propagule pressure, disturbance, and climate can all strongly affect plant invasions in montane regions. We conclude that projected reductions in winter snowpack and increases in forest disturbance are likely to increase the risk of invasion from lower elevations. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hemodynamic effect of bypass geometry on intracranial aneurysm: A numerical investigation.

PubMed

Kurşun, Burak; Uğur, Levent; Keskin, Gökhan

2018-05-01

Hemodynamic analyzes are used in the clinical investigation and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the effect of bypass geometry on intracranial aneurysm hemodynamics was investigated numerically. Pressure, wall shear stress (WSS) and velocity distribution causing the aneurysm to grow and rupture were investigated and the best conditions were tried to be determined in case of bypassing between basilar (BA) and left/right posterior arteries (LPCA/RPCA) for different values of parameters. The finite volume method was used for numerical solutions and calculations were performed with the ANSYS-Fluent software. The SIMPLE algorithm was used to solve the discretized conservation equations. Second Order Upwind method was preferred for finding intermediate point values in the computational domain. As the blood flow velocity changes with time, the blood viscosity value also changes. For this reason, the Carreu model was used in determining the viscosity depending on the velocity. Numerical study results showed that when bypassed, pressure and wall shear stresses reduced in the range of 40-70% in the aneurysm. Numerical results obtained are presented in graphs including the variation of pressure, wall shear stress and velocity streamlines in the aneurysm. Considering the numerical results for all parameter values, it is seen that the most important factors affecting the pressure and WSS values in bypassing are the bypass position on the basilar artery (L b ) and the diameter of the bypass vessel (d). Pressure and wall shear stress reduced in the range of 40-70% in the aneurysm in the case of bypass for all parameters. This demonstrates that pressure and WSS values can be greatly reduced in aneurysm treatment by bypassing in cases where clipping or coil embolization methods can not be applied. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pressures of Partial Crystallization of Magmas Along Transforms: Implications for Crustal Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scott, J. L.; Zerda, C.; Brown, D.; Ciaramitaro, S. C.; Barton, M.

2016-12-01

Plate spreading at mid-ocean ridges is responsible for the creation of most of the crust on earth. The ridge system is very complex and many questions remain unresolved. Among these is the nature of magma plumbing systems beneath transform faults. Pervious workers have suggested that increased conductive cooling along transforms promotes higher pressures of partial crystallization, and that this explains the higher partial pressures of crystallization inferred for magmas erupted along slow spreading ridges compared to magmas erupted along faster spreading ridges. To test this hypothesis, we undertook a detailed analysis of pressures of partial crystallization for magmas erupted at 3 transforms along the fast to intermediate spreading East Pacific Rise(Blanco, Clipperton, and Siqueiros) and 3 transforms along the slow spreading Mid Atlantic Ridge(Famous Transform B, Kane, and 15°20'N). Pressures of partial crystallization were calculated from the compositions of glasses (quenched liquids) lying along the P (and T) dependent olivine, plagioclase, and augite cotectic using the method described by Kelley and Barton (2008). Published analyses of mid-ocean ridge basalt glasses sampled from these transforms and surrounding ridge segments were used as input data. Samples with anomalous chemical compositions and samples that yielded pressures associated with unrealistically large uncertainties were filtered out of the database. The pressures of partial crystallization for the remaining 916 samples ranged from 0 to 520 MPa with the great majority ( 95%) of sample returning pressures of less than 300 MPa. Pressures of < 300 MPa are within error of the pressure range associated with partial crystallization within oceanic crust with a thickness of 7 km. Higher (sub-crustal) pressures (>300 MPa) are associated with a small number of samples from the Pacific segments. Except for the Blanco, pressures of partial crystallization do not increase as transforms are approached. These observations contrast with those of previous workers, who reported anomalously high pressures (up to 1000 MPa) for a large number of samples erupted near both Atlantic and Pacific Transforms. We conclude that higher rates of cooling along transform does not have a major effect on the onset of partial crystallization along the mid-ocean ridges

Mechanistic and kinetic study on the reaction of ozone and trans-2-chlorovinyldichloroarsine.

PubMed

Zhang, Wanqiao; Sun, Hao; Chen, Wei; Zhang, Yunju; Wang, Fengdi; Tang, Shuwei; Zhang, Jingping; Wang, Haitao; Wang, Rongshun

2016-05-01

Singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces for the atmospheric ozonation of trans-2-chlorovnyldichloroarsine (lewisite) are investigated theoretically. Optimizations of the reactants, products, intermediates and transition states are carried out at the BHandHLYP/6-311+G(d,p) level. Single point energy calculations are performed at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) level based on the optimized structures. The detailed mechanism is presented and discussed. Various possible H (or Cl)-abstraction and C (or As)-addition/elimination pathways are considered. The results show that the As-addition/elimination is more energetically favorable than the other mechanisms. Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory is used to compute the rate constants over the possible atmospheric temperature range of 200-3000 K and the pressure range of 10(-8)-10(9) Torr. The calculated rate constant is in good agreement with the available experimental data. The total rate coefficient shows positive temperature dependence and pressure independence. The modified three-parameter Arrhenius expressions for the total rate coefficient and individual rate coefficients are represented. Calculation results show that major product is CHClCHAs(OOO)Cl2 (s-IM3) at the temperature below 600 K and O2 + CHClCHAsOCl2 (s-P9) play an important role at the temperature between 600 and 3000 K. Time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations indicate that CHCl(OOO)CHAsCl2 (s-IM3) and CHOAsCl2 (s-P5) can take photolysis easily in the sunlight. Due to the absence of spectral information for arsenide, computational vibrational spectra of the important intermediates and products are also analyzed to provide valuable evidence for subsequent experimental identification. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of atomic pressure in the multiple time-step integration algorithm.

PubMed

Andoh, Yoshimichi; Yoshii, Noriyuki; Yamada, Atsushi; Okazaki, Susumu

2017-04-15

In molecular dynamics (MD) calculations, reduction in calculation time per MD loop is essential. A multiple time-step (MTS) integration algorithm, the RESPA (Tuckerman and Berne, J. Chem. Phys. 1992, 97, 1990-2001), enables reductions in calculation time by decreasing the frequency of time-consuming long-range interaction calculations. However, the RESPA MTS algorithm involves uncertainties in evaluating the atomic interaction-based pressure (i.e., atomic pressure) of systems with and without holonomic constraints. It is not clear which intermediate forces and constraint forces in the MTS integration procedure should be used to calculate the atomic pressure. In this article, we propose a series of equations to evaluate the atomic pressure in the RESPA MTS integration procedure on the basis of its equivalence to the Velocity-Verlet integration procedure with a single time step (STS). The equations guarantee time-reversibility even for the system with holonomic constrants. Furthermore, we generalize the equations to both (i) arbitrary number of inner time steps and (ii) arbitrary number of force components (RESPA levels). The atomic pressure calculated by our equations with the MTS integration shows excellent agreement with the reference value with the STS, whereas pressures calculated using the conventional ad hoc equations deviated from it. Our equations can be extended straightforwardly to the MTS integration algorithm for the isothermal NVT and isothermal-isobaric NPT ensembles. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pressure-induced superconductivity in H2-containing hydride PbH4(H2)2

PubMed Central

Cheng, Ya; Zhang, Chao; Wang, Tingting; Zhong, Guohua; Yang, Chunlei; Chen, Xiao-Jia; Lin, Hai-Qing

2015-01-01

High pressure structure, stability, metallization, and superconductivity of PbH4(H2)2, a H2-containing compound combining one of the heaviest elements with the lightest element, are investigated by the first-principles calculations. The metallic character is found over the whole studied pressure range, although PbH4(H2)2 is metastable and easily decompose at low pressure. The decomposition pressure point of 133 GPa is predicted above which PbH4(H2)2 is stable both thermodynamically and dynamically with the C2/m symmetry. Interestedly, all hydrogen atoms pairwise couple into H2 quasi-molecules and remain this style up to 400 GPa in the C2/m structure. At high-pressure, PbH4(H2)2 tends to form the Pb-H2 alloy. The superconductivity of Tc firstly rising and then falling is observed in the C2/m PbH4(H2)2. The maximum of Tc is about 107 K at 230 GPa. The softening of intermediate-frequency phonon induced by more inserted H2 molecules is the main origin of the high Tc. The results obtained represent a significant step toward the understanding of the high pressure behavior of metallic hydrogen and hydrogen-rich materials, which is helpful for obtaining the higher Tc. PMID:26559369

Semiempirical models for description of shear modulus in wide ranges of temperatures and pressures of shock compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El'Kin, V. M.; Mikhailov, V. N.; Mikhailova, T. Yu.

2011-12-01

In this paper, we discuss the potentials of the Steinberg-Cochran-Guinan (SCG) and Burakovsky-Preston (BP) models for the description of the shear-modulus behavior at temperatures and pressures that arise behind the shock-wave front. A modernized variant of the SCG model is suggested, which reduces to the introduction of a free parameter and the representation of the model in the volume-temperature coordinates (( V, T) model). A systematic comparison is performed of all three models of shear modulus with experimental data and data of ab initio calculations for metals such as Al, Be, Cu, K, Na, Mg, Mo, W, and Ta in a wide range of pressures. In addition, for Al, Cu, Mo, W, and Ta there is performed a comparison with the known temperature dependences of the shear modulus and with the results of measurements of the velocities of longitudinal sound behind the shock-wave front. It is shown that in the original form the SCG and BP models give overestimated values of the shear modulus as compared to the data of ab initio calculations and shock-wave experiments. The ( V, T) model, due to the use of a free parameter, makes it possible to optimally describe the totality of experimental and calculated data. The same result is achieved in the case of the BP model after a redefining of its initial parameters. The adequate description of the shear modulus in the range of high intermediate pressures characteristic of the solid-phase states behind the shock-wave front is accompanied in both cases by the violation of the correct asymptotic behavior of the shear modulus at ultrahigh compressions which is originally laid into the SCG and BP models.

Disease management programs in type 2 diabetes: quality of care.

PubMed

Berthold, Heiner K; Bestehorn, Kurt P; Jannowitz, Christina; Krone, Wilhelm; Gouni-Berthold, Ioanna

2011-06-01

To determine whether disease management programs (DMPs) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can improve some processes of care and intermediate outcomes. Two cross-sectional registries of patients with T2DM were used for data extraction before (previous cohort) and after (recent cohort) introduction of DMPs in Germany (N = 78,110). In the recent cohort, 15,293 patients were treated within the DMPs and 9791 were not. Processes of care, medications, and intermediate outcomes (achievement of treatment targets for low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, blood pressure, and glycosylated hemoglobin [A1C]) were analyzed using multi- variable, multilevel logistic regression, adjusting for patient case-mix and physician-level clustering to derive odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Availability of structured diabetes education and of lipid, blood pressure, and A1C measurements increased over time. In DMP patients, availability was significantly higher for blood pressure and A1C but not for lipid measurements. Prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, oral antidiabetic drugs, and insulin increased over time and was more common in DMP patients. Statin prescription increased over time but was not influenced by DMP status. Intermediate outcomes improved over time, but DMPs had no influence on intermediate outcomes except for reaching LDL cholesterol targets (odds ratio 1.12 [95% CI 1.06, 1.19] in favor of DMPs). While there may be some unmeasured confounding, our data suggest that improvement in processes of care by DMPs, as implemented in Germany, only partially translates into improvement of intermediate outcomes.

Subphotospheric fluctuations in magnetized radiative envelopes: contribution from unstable magnetosonic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sen, Koushik; Fernández, Rodrigo; Socrates, Aristotle

2018-06-01

We examine the excitation of unstable magnetosonic waves in the radiative envelopes of intermediate- and high-mass stars with a magnetic field of ˜kG strength. Wind clumping close to the star and microturbulence can often be accounted for when including small-scale, subphotospheric density or velocity perturbations. Compressional waves - with wavelengths comparable to or shorter than the gas pressure scale height - can be destabilized by the radiative flux in optically thick media when a magnetic field is present, in a process called the radiation-driven magneto-acoustic instability (RMI). The instability does not require radiation or magnetic pressure to dominate over gas pressure, and acts independently of subsurface convection zones. Here we evaluate the conditions for the RMI to operate on a grid of stellar models covering a mass range 3-40 M⊙ at solar metallicity. For a uniform 1 kG magnetic field, fast magnetosonic modes are unstable down to an optical depth of a few tens, while unstable slow modes extend beyond the depth of the iron convection zone. The qualitative behaviour is robust to magnetic field strength variations by a factor of a few. When combining our findings with previous results for the saturation amplitude of the RMI, we predict velocity fluctuations in the range ˜0.1-10 km s-1. These amplitudes are a monotonically increasing function of the ratio of radiation to gas pressure, or alternatively, of the zero-age main sequence mass.

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite studied by in situ X-ray diffraction under autoclave condition.

PubMed

Kikuma, Jun; Tsunashima, Masamichi; Ishikawa, Tetsuji; Matsuno, Shin-ya; Ogawa, Akihiro; Matsui, Kunio; Sato, Masugu

2009-09-01

Hydrothermal formation of tobermorite from a pre-cured cake has been investigated by transmission X-ray diffraction (XRD) using high-energy X-rays from a synchrotron radiation source in combination with a newly designed autoclave cell. The autoclave cell has a large and thin beryllium window for wide-angle X-ray diffraction; nevertheless, it withstands a steam pressure of more than 1.2 MPa, which enables in situ XRD measurements in a temperature range of 373 to 463 K under a saturated steam pressure. Formation and/or decomposition of several components has been successfully observed during 7.5 h of reaction time. From the intensity changes of the intermediate materials, namely non-crystalline C-S-H and hydroxylellestadite, two pathways for tobermorite formation have been confirmed. Thus, the newly developed autoclave cell can be used for the analyses of reaction mechanisms under specific atmospheres and temperatures.

Corresponding states law for a generalized Lennard-Jones potential.

PubMed

Orea, P; Romero-Martínez, A; Basurto, E; Vargas, C A; Odriozola, G

2015-07-14

It was recently shown that vapor-liquid coexistence densities derived from Mie and Yukawa models collapse to define a single master curve when represented against the difference between the reduced second virial coefficient at the corresponding temperature and that at the critical point. In this work, we further test this proposal for another generalization of the Lennard-Jones pair potential. This is carried out for vapor-liquid coexistence densities, surface tension, and vapor pressure, along a temperature window set below the critical point. For this purpose, we perform molecular dynamics simulations by varying the potential softness parameter to produce from very short to intermediate attractive ranges. We observed all properties to collapse and yield master curves. Moreover, the vapor-liquid curve is found to share the exact shape of the Mie and attractive Yukawa. Furthermore, the surface tension and the logarithm of the vapor pressure are linear functions of this difference of reduced second virial coefficients.

Single-phase and well-dispersed Cu1.75S nanocrystals by ambient pressure diethylene glycol solution synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Xuerong; Jin, Zhengguo; Liu, Hui; Wang, Yueqiu; Wang, Xin; Du, Haiyan

2013-02-01

Single-phase, well-dispersed Cu1.75S nanocrystals were synthesized by an ambient pressure, hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine co-assisted diethylene glycol based solution chemical process using copper chloride and thioacetamide as precursors at the temperature range from 180 to 210 °C. Influence of hydrazine hydrate and ethylenediamine adding amounts, synthetic temperature on crystal growth, size distribution and optical properties of the synthesized Cu1.75S nanocrystals were investigated by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EDX and UV-vis measurements. The synthetic reaction at above 200 °C grew flaky-shaped nanocrystals with relatively narrow size distribution. The formation of single-phase Cu1.75S nanocrystals in the diethylene glycol based solution process might be involved in the presence of intermediate [Cu(en)n]1+ and [Cu(NH3)4]2+ complexes in reaction solution, providing a stable Cu(I) and Cu(II) valent-mixed precursor.

Exploring Granular Flows at Intermediate Velocities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brodsky, E. E.; van der Elst, N.

2012-12-01

Geophysical and geomorphological flows often encompass a wide range of strain rates. Landslides accelerate from nearly static conditions to velocities in the range of meters/seconds. The rheology of granular flows for the end-members is moderately well-understood, but the constitutive low at intermediate velocities is largely unexplored. Here we present evidence that granular flows transition through a regime in which internally generated acoustic waves play a critical role in controlling rheology. In laboratory experiments on natural sand under shear in a commercial rheometer, we observe that the steady-state flows at intermediate velocities are compacted relative to the end members. In a confined volume, this compaction results in a decrease in stress on the boundaries. We establish the key role of the acoustic waves by measuring the noise generated by the shear flows with an accelerometer and then exciting the flow with similar amplitude noise under lower shear rate conditions. The observed compaction for a given amplitude noise is the same in both cases, regardless of whether the noise is generated internally by the grains colliding or artificially applied externally. The boundaries of this acoustically controlled regime can be successfully predicted through non-dimensional analysis balancing the overburden, acoustic pressure and granular inertial terms. In our laboratory experiments, this regime corresponds to 0.1 to 10 cm/s. The controlling role of acoustic waves in intermediate velocities is significant because: (1) Geological systems must pass through this regime on their route to instability. (2) Acoustic waves are much more efficiently generated by angular particles, likely to be found in natural samples, than by perfectly spherical particles, which are more tractable for laboratory and theoretical studies. Therefore, this regime is likely to be missed in many analog and computational approaches. (3) Different mineralogies and shapes result in different noise generation. Therefore, there is a potential to extrapolate and predict rheological behavior of an active flow through studies of the recoverable granular products.Steady-state thickness vs. shear rate for angular sand and glass beads. Individual curves represent multiple up-going and down-going velocity ramps, and thick error bars show means and standard deviations between runs. Thickness is independent of shear rate at low shear rates, and strongly dependent on shear rate for intermediate and high shear rates. Compaction is observed at intermediate shear rates for angular sand, but not for smooth glass beads.

Performance of J33 turbojet engine with shaft-power extraction III : turbine performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huppert, M C; Nettles, J C

1949-01-01

The performance of the turbine component of a J33 turbojet engine was determined over a range of turbine speeds from 8000 to 11,500 rpm.Turbine-inlet temperature was varied from the minimum required to drive the compressor to a maximum of approximately 2000 degrees R at each of several intermediate turbine speeds. Data are presented that show the horsepower developed by the turbine per pound of gas flow. The relation between turbine-inlet stagnation pressure, turbine-outlet stagnation pressure, and turbine-outlet static pressure was established. The turbine-weight-flow parameter varied from 39.2 to 43.6. The maximum turbine efficiency measured was 0.86 at a pressure ratio of 3.5 and a ratio of blade speed to theoretical nozzle velocity of 0.39. A generalized performance map of the turbine-horsepower parameter plotted against the turbine-speed parameter indicated that the best turbine efficiency is obtained when the turbine power is 10 percent greater than the compressor horsepower. The variation of efficiency with the ratio of blade speed to nozzle velocity indicated that the turbine operates at a speed above that for maximum efficiency when the engine is operated normally with the 19-inch-diameter jet nozzle.

Effective Thermal Conductivity of High Porosity Open Cell Nickel Foam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullins, Alan D.; Daryabeigi, Kamran

2001-01-01

The effective thermal conductivity of high-porosity open cell nickel foam samples was measured over a wide range of temperatures and pressures using a standard steady-state technique. The samples, measuring 23.8 mm, 18.7 mm, and 13.6 mm in thickness, were constructed with layers of 1.7 mm thick foam with a porosity of 0.968. Tests were conducted with the specimens subjected to temperature differences of 100 to 1000 K across the thickness and at environmental pressures of 10(exp -4) to 750 mm Hg. All test were conducted in a gaseous nitrogen environment. A one-dimensional finite volume numerical model was developed to model combined radiation/conduction heat transfer in the foam. The radiation heat transfer was modeled using the two-flux approximation. Solid and gas conduction were modeled using standard techniques for high porosity media. A parameter estimation technique was used in conjunction with the measured and predicted thermal conductivities at pressures of 10(exp -4) and 750 mm Hg to determine the extinction coefficient, albedo of scattering, and weighting factors for modeling the conduction thermal conductivity. The measured and predicted conductivities over the intermediate pressure values differed by 13%.

Morphology and dynamics of explosive vents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gisler, Galen R.; Galland, Olivier; Haug, Øystein T.

2014-05-01

Eruptive processes in nature produce a wide variety of morphologies, including cone sheets, dykes, sills, and pipes. The choice of a particular eruptive style is determined partly by local inhomogeneities, and partly by the gross overall properties of the country rock and the physical properties of the eruptive fluid. In this study we report on experimental and numerical designed to capture a range of morphologies in an eruptive system. Using dimensional analysis we link the experimental and numerical work together and draw implications for field studies. Our experimental work uses silica flour in a Hele-Shaw cell, with air as the eruptive fluid. A phase diagram demonstrates a separation between two distinct morphologies, with vertical structures occurring at high pressure or low depth of fill and diagonal ones at low pressure or high depth of fill. In the numerical work the eruptive fluid is a mixture of basaltic magma, supercritical water, and carbon dioxide, and the ambient material is a fill of basalt with varying material properties. In the numerical work we see three distinct morphologies: vertical pipes are produced at high pressures and softer backgrounds, diagonal pipes at lower pressures and stiffer backgrounds, while horizontal sills are produced in intermediate regimes.

Intermediate P/T-type regional metamorphism of the Isua Supracrustal Belt, southern west Greenland: The oldest Pacific-type orogenic belt?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arai, Tatsuyuki; Omori, Soichi; Komiya, Tsuyoshi; Maruyama, Shigenori

2015-11-01

The 3.7-3.8 Ga Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB), southwest Greenland, might be the oldest accretionary complex on Earth. Regional metamorphism of the ISB has a potential to constrain the tectonothermal history of the Earth during the Eoarchean. Chemical and modal analyses of metabasite in the study area (i.e., the northeast part of the ISB) show that the metamorphic grade increases from greenschist facies in the northern part of the study area to amphibolite facies in the southern part. To determine the precise metamorphic P-T ranges, isochemical phase diagrams of minerals of metabasite were made using Perple_X. A synthesis of the estimated metamorphic P-T ranges of the ISB indicates that both the metamorphic pressure and temperature increase systematically to the south in the study area from 3 kbar and 380 °C to 6 kbar and 560 °C. The monotonous metamorphic P-T change suggests that the northeast part of the ISB preserves regional metamorphism resulting from the subduction of an accretionary complex although the ISB experienced metamorphic overprints during the Neoarchean. Both the presence of the regional metamorphism and an accretionary complex having originating at subduction zone suggest that the ISB may be the oldest Pacific-type orogenic belt. The progressive metamorphism can be considered as a record of intermediate-P/T type geothermal gradient at the subduction zone in the Eoarchean. Intermediate-P/T type geothermal gradient is typical at the current zones of subducting young oceanic crust, such as in the case of the Philippine Sea Plate in the southwest part of Japan. Considering the fact that almost all metamorphisms in the Archean are greenschist-amphibolite facies, the intermediate-P/T type geothermal gradient at the ISB might have been worldwide in the Archean. This would indicate that the subduction of young micro-plates was common because of the vigorous convection of hot mantle in the Archean.

Dependence of short and intermediate-range order on preparation in experimental and modeled pure a-Si

DOE PAGES

Holmstrom, Eero; Haberl, Bianca; Pakarinen, Olli H.; ...

2016-02-20

Variability in the short-to-intermediate range order of pure amorphous silicon prepared by different experimental and computational techniques is probed by measuring mass density, atomic coordination, bond-angle deviation, and dihedral angle deviation. It is found that there is significant variability in order parameters at these length scales in this archetypal covalently bonded, monoatomic system. This diversity strongly reflects preparation technique and thermal history in both experimental and simulated systems. Experiment and simulation do not fully quantitatively agree, partly due to differences in the way parameters are accessed. However, qualitative agreement in the trends is identified. Relaxed forms of amorphous silicon closelymore » resemble continuous random networks generated by a hybrid method of bond-switching Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation. As-prepared ion implanted amorphous silicon can be adequately modeled using a structure generated from amorphization via ion bombardement using energetic recoils. Preparation methods which narrowly avoid crystallization such as experimental pressure-induced amorphization or simulated melt-quenching result in inhomogeneous structures that contain regions with significant variations in atomic ordering. Ad hoc simulated structures containing small (1 nm) diamond cubic crystal inclusions were found to possess relatively high bond-angle deviations and low dihedral angle deviations, a trend that could not be reconciled with any experimental material.« less

CH4 dissociation in the early stage of graphene growth on Fe-Cu(100) surface: Theoretical insights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Baoyang; Liu, Tianhui; Yang, YanYan; Li, Kai; Wu, Zhijian; Wang, Ying

2018-01-01

The mechanism of CH4 dissociation and carbon nucleation process on the Fe doped Cu(100) surface were investigated systematically by using the density functional theory (DFT) calculations and microkinetic model. The activity of the Cu(100) surface was improved by the doped Fe atom and the atomic Fe on the Fe-Cu(100) surface was the reaction center due to the synergistic effect. In the dissociation process of CH4, CH3 → CH2 + H was regarded as the rate-determining step. The results obtained from the microkinetic model showed that the coverage of CHx(x = 1-3) was gradually decreased with the temperature increasing and CH3 was always the major intermediate at the broad range of the temperature (from 1035 to 1080 °C) and the ratio of H2/CH4 (from 0 to 5). It is also found that the reaction rates were increased with the temperature increasing. However, the reaction rates were reduced (or increased) at the range of H2/CH4 = 0-0.2 (or H2/CH4 > 0.2). It is noted that controlling the H2 partial pressure was an effective method to regulate the major intermediates and reaction rates of CH4 dissociation and further influence the growing process of graphene.

Self Assembly of Hard, Space-Filling Polytopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schultz, Benjamin; Damasceno, Pablo; Engel, Michael; Glotzer, Sharon

2012-02-01

The thermodynamic behavior of systems of hard particles in the limit of infinite pressure is known to yield the densest possible packing [1,2]. Hard polytopes that tile or fill space in two or three spatial dimensions are guaranteed to obtain packing fractions of unity in the infinite pressure limit. Away from this limit, however, other structures may be possible [3]. We present the results of a simulation study of the thermodynamic self-assembly of hard, space-filling particles from disordered initial conditions. We show that for many polytopes, the infinite pressure structure readily assembles at intermediate pressures and packing fractions significantly less than one; in others, assembly of the infinite pressure structure is foiled by mesophases, jamming and phase separation. Common features of these latter systems are identified and strategies for enhancing assembly of the infinite pressure structure at intermediate pressures through building block modification are discussed.[4pt] [1] P. F. Damasceno, M. Engel, S.C. Glotzer arXiv:1109.1323v1 [cond-mat.soft][0pt] [2] A. Haji-Akbari, M. Engel, S.C. Glotzer arXiv:1106.4765v2 [cond-mat.soft][0pt] [3] U. Agarwal, F.A. Escobedo, Nature Materials 10, 230--235 (2011)

Molecular dynamics computations of brine-CO2 interfacial tensions and brine-CO2-quartz contact angles and their effects on structural and residual trapping mechanisms in carbon geo-sequestration.

PubMed

Iglauer, S; Mathew, M S; Bresme, F

2012-11-15

In the context of carbon geo-sequestration projects, brine-CO(2) interfacial tension γ and brine-CO(2)-rock surface water contact angles θ directly impact structural and residual trapping capacities. While γ is fairly well understood there is still large uncertainty associated with θ. We present here an investigation of γ and θ using a molecular approach based on molecular dynamics computer simulations. We consider a system consisting of CO(2)/water/NaCl and an α-quartz surface, covering a brine salinity range between 0 and 4 molal. The simulation models accurately reproduce the dependence of γ on pressure below the CO(2) saturation pressure at 300 K, and over predict γ by ~20% at higher pressures. In addition, in agreement with experimental observations, the simulations predict that γ increases slightly with temperature or salinity. We also demonstrate that for non-hydroxylated quartz surfaces, θ strongly increases with pressure at subcritical and supercritical conditions. An increase in temperature significantly reduces the contact angle, especially at low-intermediate pressures (1-10 MPa), this effect is mitigated at higher pressures, 20 MPa. We also found that θ only weakly depends on salinity for the systems investigated in this work. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Viscoacoustic model for near-field ultrasonic levitation.

PubMed

Melikhov, Ivan; Chivilikhin, Sergey; Amosov, Alexey; Jeanson, Romain

2016-11-01

Ultrasonic near-field levitation allows for contactless support and transportation of an object over vibrating surface. We developed an accurate model predicting pressure distribution in the gap between the surface and levitating object. The formulation covers a wide range of the air flow regimes: from viscous squeezed flow dominating in small gap to acoustic wave propagation in larger gap. The paper explains derivation of the governing equations from the basic fluid dynamics. The nonreflective boundary conditions were developed to properly define air flow at the outlet. Comparing to direct computational fluid dynamics modeling our approach allows achieving good accuracy while keeping the computation cost low. Using the model we studied the levitation force as a function of gap distance. It was shown that there are three distinguished flow regimes: purely viscous, viscoacoustic, and acoustic. The regimes are defined by the balance of viscous and inertial forces. In the viscous regime the pressure in the gap is close to uniform while in the intermediate viscoacoustic and the acoustic regimes the pressure profile is wavy. The model was validated by a dedicated levitation experiment and compared to similar published results.

Viscoacoustic model for near-field ultrasonic levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melikhov, Ivan; Chivilikhin, Sergey; Amosov, Alexey; Jeanson, Romain

2016-11-01

Ultrasonic near-field levitation allows for contactless support and transportation of an object over vibrating surface. We developed an accurate model predicting pressure distribution in the gap between the surface and levitating object. The formulation covers a wide range of the air flow regimes: from viscous squeezed flow dominating in small gap to acoustic wave propagation in larger gap. The paper explains derivation of the governing equations from the basic fluid dynamics. The nonreflective boundary conditions were developed to properly define air flow at the outlet. Comparing to direct computational fluid dynamics modeling our approach allows achieving good accuracy while keeping the computation cost low. Using the model we studied the levitation force as a function of gap distance. It was shown that there are three distinguished flow regimes: purely viscous, viscoacoustic, and acoustic. The regimes are defined by the balance of viscous and inertial forces. In the viscous regime the pressure in the gap is close to uniform while in the intermediate viscoacoustic and the acoustic regimes the pressure profile is wavy. The model was validated by a dedicated levitation experiment and compared to similar published results.

PIC-container for containment and disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araki, K.; Shinji, Y.; Maki, Y.; Ishizaki, K.; Minegishi, K.; Sudoh, G.

1981-03-01

Steel fiber reinforced polymer impregnated concrete (SFPIC) was investigated for low and intermediate level radioactive waste containers. The 60 L and 200 L containers were designed as pressure container (without equalizer) for 500 kg/square cm and 700 kg/square cm. Polymerization of impregnated methylmethacrylate monomer was performed by 60 Co-gamma ray radiation and thermal catalytic polymerization respectively. Under the loading of 500 kg/square cm and 700 kg/square cm-outside hydraulic pressure, these containers were kept in their good condition. The observed maximum strains were about .001380 and .003950 at the outside central position of container body for circumferential direction of the 60 L and 200 L container, respectively. The containers were immersed in deionized water for 400 days, nuclides were not leached from the container. The SFPIC container was suitable for containment and disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive wastes.

On Pulsating and Cellular Forms of Hydrodynamic Instability in Liquid-Propellant Combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margolis, Stephen B.; Sacksteder, Kurt (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

An extended Landau-Levich model of liquid-propellant combustion, one that allows for a local dependence of the burning rate on the (gas) pressure at the liquid-gas interface, exhibits not only the classical hydrodynamic cellular instability attributed to Landau but also a pulsating hydrodynamic instability associated with sufficiently negative pressure sensitivities. Exploiting the realistic limit of small values of the gas-to-liquid density ratio p, analytical formulas for both neutral stability boundaries may be obtained by expanding all quantities in appropriate powers of p in each of three distinguished wave-number regimes. In particular, composite analytical expressions are derived for the neutral stability boundaries A(sub p)(k), where A, is the pressure sensitivity of the burning rate and k is the wave number of the disturbance. For the cellular boundary, the results demonstrate explicitly the stabilizing effect of gravity on long-wave disturbances, the stabilizing effect of viscosity (both liquid and gas) and surface tension on short-wave perturbations, and the instability associated with intermediate wave numbers for negative values of A(sub p), which is characteristic of many hydroxylammonium nitrate-based liquid propellants over certain pressure ranges. In contrast, the pulsating hydrodynamic stability boundary is insensitive to gravitational and surface-tension effects but is more sensitive to the effects of liquid viscosity because, for typical nonzero values of the latter, the pulsating boundary decreases to larger negative values of A(sub p) as k increases through O(l) values. Thus, liquid-propellant combustion is predicted to be stable (that is, steady and planar) only for a range of negative pressure sensitivities that lie below the cellular boundary that exists for sufficiently small negative values of A(sub p) and above the pulsating boundary that exists for larger negative values of this parameter.

Pressure-induced structural modifications of rare-earth hafnate pyrochlore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turner, Katlyn M.; Rittman, Dylan R.; Heymach, Rachel A.; Tracy, Cameron L.; Turner, Madison L.; Fuentes, Antonio F.; Mao, Wendy L.; Ewing, Rodney C.

2017-06-01

Complex oxides with the pyrochlore (A2B2O7) and defect-fluorite ((A,B)4O7) structure-types undergo structural transformations under high-pressure. Rare-earth hafnates (A2Hf2O7) form the pyrochlore structure for A  =  La-Tb and the defect-fluorite structure for A  =  Dy-Lu. High-pressure transformations in A2Hf2O7 pyrochlore (A  =  Sm, Eu, Gd) and defect-fluorite (A  =  Dy, Y, Yb) were investigated up to ~50 GPa and characterized by in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman spectra at ambient pressure revealed that all compositions, including the defect-fluorites, have some pyrochlore-type short-range order. In situ high-pressure synchrotron XRD showed that all of the rare earth hafnates investigated undergo a pressure-induced phase transition to a cotunnite-like (orthorhombic) structure that begins between 18 and 25 GPa. The phase transition to the cotunnite-like structure is not complete at 50 GPa, and upon release of pressure, the hafnates transform to defect-fluorite with an amorphous component. For all compositions, in situ Raman spectroscopy showed that disordering occurs gradually with increasing pressure. Pyrochlore-structured hafnates retain their short-range order to a higher pressure (30 GPa vs.  <10 GPa) than defect-fluorite-structured hafnates. Rare earth hafnates quenched from 50 GPa show Raman spectra consistent with weberite-type structures, as also reported for irradiated rare-earth stannates. The second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state fit gives a bulk modulus of ~250 GPa for hafnates with the pyrochlore structure, and ~400 GPa for hafnates with the defect-fluorite structure. Dy2Hf2O7 is intermediate in its response, with some pyrochlore-type ordering, based on Raman spectroscopy and the equation of state, with a bulk modulus of ~300 GPa. As predicted based on the similar ionic radius of Zr4+ and Hf4+, rare-earth hafnates show similar behavior to that reported for rare earth zirconates at high pressure.

Pressure-induced structural modifications of rare-earth hafnate pyrochlore.

PubMed

Turner, Katlyn M; Rittman, Dylan R; Heymach, Rachel A; Tracy, Cameron L; Turner, Madison L; Fuentes, Antonio F; Mao, Wendy L; Ewing, Rodney C

2017-06-28

Complex oxides with the pyrochlore (A 2 B 2 O 7 ) and defect-fluorite ((A,B) 4 O 7 ) structure-types undergo structural transformations under high-pressure. Rare-earth hafnates (A 2 Hf 2 O 7 ) form the pyrochlore structure for A  =  La-Tb and the defect-fluorite structure for A  =  Dy-Lu. High-pressure transformations in A 2 Hf 2 O 7 pyrochlore (A  =  Sm, Eu, Gd) and defect-fluorite (A  =  Dy, Y, Yb) were investigated up to ~50 GPa and characterized by in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD). Raman spectra at ambient pressure revealed that all compositions, including the defect-fluorites, have some pyrochlore-type short-range order. In situ high-pressure synchrotron XRD showed that all of the rare earth hafnates investigated undergo a pressure-induced phase transition to a cotunnite-like (orthorhombic) structure that begins between 18 and 25 GPa. The phase transition to the cotunnite-like structure is not complete at 50 GPa, and upon release of pressure, the hafnates transform to defect-fluorite with an amorphous component. For all compositions, in situ Raman spectroscopy showed that disordering occurs gradually with increasing pressure. Pyrochlore-structured hafnates retain their short-range order to a higher pressure (30 GPa vs.  <10 GPa) than defect-fluorite-structured hafnates. Rare earth hafnates quenched from 50 GPa show Raman spectra consistent with weberite-type structures, as also reported for irradiated rare-earth stannates. The second-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state fit gives a bulk modulus of ~250 GPa for hafnates with the pyrochlore structure, and ~400 GPa for hafnates with the defect-fluorite structure. Dy 2 Hf 2 O 7 is intermediate in its response, with some pyrochlore-type ordering, based on Raman spectroscopy and the equation of state, with a bulk modulus of ~300 GPa. As predicted based on the similar ionic radius of Zr 4+ and Hf 4+ , rare-earth hafnates show similar behavior to that reported for rare earth zirconates at high pressure.

The Volumetric Diversity of Misfolded Prion Protein Oligomers Revealed by Pressure Dissociation*

PubMed Central

Torrent, Joan; Lange, Reinhard; Rezaei, Human

2015-01-01

Protein oligomerization has been associated with a wide range of diseases. High pressure approaches offer a powerful tool for deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms by revealing volume changes associated with the misfolding and assembly reactions. We applied high pressure to induce conformational changes in three distinct β-sheet-rich oligomers of the prion protein PrP, a protein characterized by a variety of infectious quaternary structures that can propagate stably and faithfully and cause diseases with specific phenotypic traits. We show that pressure induces dissociation of the oligomers and leads to a lower volume monomeric PrP state that refolds into the native conformation after pressure release. By measuring the different pressure and temperature sensitivity of the tested PrP oligomers, we demonstrate significantly different void volumes in their quaternary structure. In addition, by focusing on the kinetic and energetic behavior of the pressure-induced dissociation of one specific PrP oligomer, we reveal a large negative activation volume and an increase in both apparent activation enthalpy and entropy. This suggests a transition state ensemble that is less structured and significantly more hydrated than the oligomeric state. Finally, we found that site-specific fluorescent labeling allows monitoring of the transient population of a kinetic intermediate in the dissociation reaction. Our results indicate that defects in atomic packing may deserve consideration as a new factor that influences differences between PrP assemblies and that could be relevant also for explaining the origin of prion strains. PMID:26126829

Kinetic modelling of the oxidation of large aliphatic hydrocarbons using an automatic mechanism generation.

PubMed

Muharam, Yuswan; Warnatz, Jürgen

2007-08-21

A mechanism generator code to automatically generate mechanisms for the oxidation of large hydrocarbons has been successfully modified and considerably expanded in this work. The modification was through (1) improvement of the existing rules such as cyclic-ether reactions and aldehyde reactions, (2) inclusion of some additional rules to the code, such as ketone reactions, hydroperoxy cyclic-ether formations and additional reactions of alkenes, (3) inclusion of small oxygenates, produced by the code but not included in the handwritten C(1)-C(4) sub-mechanism yet, to the handwritten C(1)-C(4) sub-mechanism. In order to evaluate mechanisms generated by the code, simulations of observed results in different experimental environments have been carried out. Experimentally derived and numerically predicted ignition delays of n-heptane-air and n-decane-air mixtures in high-pressure shock tubes in a wide range of temperatures, pressures and equivalence ratios agree very well. Concentration profiles of the main products and intermediates of n-heptane and n-decane oxidation in jet-stirred reactors at a wide range of temperatures and equivalence ratios are generally well reproduced. In addition, the ignition delay times of different normal alkanes was numerically studied.

Computer simulation of CaSiO3 glass under compression: correlation between Si-Si pair radial distribution function and intermediate range order structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Mai Thi; Thuy Duong, Tran; Iitaka, Toshiaki; Van Hong, Nguyen

2017-06-01

The structural organization of CaSiO3 glass at 600 K and under pressure of 0-100 GPa is investigated by molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). Results show that the atomic structure of CaSiO3 comprises SiO n and CaO m units considered as basic structural polyhedra. At low pressure, most of the basic structural polyhedra are SiO4, CaO5, CaO6 and CaO7. At high pressure most of the basic structural polyhedra are SiO5, SiO6 and CaO9, CaO10 and CaO11. The distribution of basic structural polyhedra is not uniform resulting in formation of Ca-rich and Si-rich regions. The distribution of SiO4, SiO5 and SiO6 polyhedra is also not uniform, but it tends to form SiO4-, SiO5-, and SiO6-clusters. For the Si-O network, under compression there is a gradual transition from the tetrahedral network (SiO4) to the octahedral network (SiO6) via SiO5 polyhedra. The SiO5-clusters are the same as immediate-phase in the transformation process. The size and shape of SiO4 tetrahedra change strongly under compression. While the size of SiO5 and SiO6 has also changed significantly, but the shape is almost unchanged under compression. The SiO n polyhedra can connect to each other via one common oxygen ion (corner-sharing bond), two common oxygen ions (edge-sharing bond) or three common oxygen ions (face-sharing bond). The Si-Si bond length in corner-sharing bonds is much longer than the ones in edge-sharing and face-sharing bonds. The change of intermediate range order (IRO) structure under compression relating to edge- and face-sharing bonds amongst SiO n at high pressure is the origin of the first peak splitting of the radial distribution functions of Si-Si pair. Under compression, the number of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) decreases. This makes the Si-O network more polymerized. At low pressure, most of the Ca2+ ions incorporate into the Si-O network via NBOs. At high pressure, the amount of NBO decreases, Ca2+ ions mainly incorporate into the Si-O network via bridging oxygen (BO) that belongs to SiO5 and SiO6 with a negative charge. And this is the principle for immobilization of heavy metal as well as fissile materials in hazardous waste (nuclear waste).

Kinetically Controlled Two-Step Amorphization and Amorphous-Amorphous Transition in Ice.

PubMed

Lin, Chuanlong; Yong, Xue; Tse, John S; Smith, Jesse S; Sinogeikin, Stanislav V; Kenney-Benson, Curtis; Shen, Guoyin

2017-09-29

We report the results of in situ structural characterization of the amorphization of crystalline ice Ih under compression and the relaxation of high-density amorphous (HDA) ice under decompression at temperatures between 96 and 160 K by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. The results show that ice Ih transforms to an intermediate crystalline phase at 100 K prior to complete amorphization, which is supported by molecular dynamics calculations. The phase transition pathways show clear temperature dependence: direct amorphization without an intermediate phase is observed at 133 K, while at 145 K a direct Ih-to-IX transformation is observed; decompression of HDA shows a transition to low-density amorphous ice at 96 K and ∼1  Pa, to ice Ic at 135 K and to ice IX at 145 K. These observations show that the amorphization of compressed ice Ih and the recrystallization of decompressed HDA are strongly dependent on temperature and controlled by kinetic barriers. Pressure-induced amorphous ice is an intermediate state in the phase transition from the connected H-bond water network in low pressure ices to the independent and interpenetrating H-bond network of high-pressure ices.

Kinetically Controlled Two-Step Amorphization and Amorphous-Amorphous Transition in Ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Chuanlong; Yong, Xue; Tse, John S.; Smith, Jesse S.; Sinogeikin, Stanislav V.; Kenney-Benson, Curtis; Shen, Guoyin

2017-09-01

We report the results of in situ structural characterization of the amorphization of crystalline ice Ih under compression and the relaxation of high-density amorphous (HDA) ice under decompression at temperatures between 96 and 160 K by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. The results show that ice Ih transforms to an intermediate crystalline phase at 100 K prior to complete amorphization, which is supported by molecular dynamics calculations. The phase transition pathways show clear temperature dependence: direct amorphization without an intermediate phase is observed at 133 K, while at 145 K a direct Ih-to-IX transformation is observed; decompression of HDA shows a transition to low-density amorphous ice at 96 K and ˜1 Pa , to ice Ic at 135 K and to ice IX at 145 K. These observations show that the amorphization of compressed ice Ih and the recrystallization of decompressed HDA are strongly dependent on temperature and controlled by kinetic barriers. Pressure-induced amorphous ice is an intermediate state in the phase transition from the connected H-bond water network in low pressure ices to the independent and interpenetrating H-bond network of high-pressure ices.

Kinetically Controlled Two-Step Amorphization and Amorphous-Amorphous Transition in Ice

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

Lin, Chuanlong; Yong, Xue; Tse, John S.

We report the results of in situ structural characterization of the amorphization of crystalline ice Ih under compression and the relaxation of high-density amorphous (HDA) ice under decompression at temperatures between 96 and 160 K by synchrotron x-ray diffraction. The results show that ice Ih transforms to an intermediate crystalline phase at 100 K prior to complete amorphization, which is supported by molecular dynamics calculations. The phase transition pathways show clear temperature dependence: direct amorphization without an intermediate phase is observed at 133 K, while at 145 K a direct Ih-to-IX transformation is observed; decompression of HDA shows a transitionmore » to low-density amorphous ice at 96 K and ~ 1 Pa , to ice Ic at 135 K and to ice IX at 145 K. These observations show that the amorphization of compressed ice Ih and the recrystallization of decompressed HDA are strongly dependent on temperature and controlled by kinetic barriers. Pressure-induced amorphous ice is an intermediate state in the phase transition from the connected H-bond water network in low pressure ices to the independent and interpenetrating H-bond network of high-pressure ices.« less

Effect of lavender aromatherapy on vital signs and perceived quality of sleep in the intermediate care unit: a pilot study.

PubMed

Lytle, Jamie; Mwatha, Catherine; Davis, Karen K

2014-01-01

Sleep deprivation in hospitalized patients is common and can have serious detrimental effects on recovery from illness. Lavender aromatherapy has improved sleep in a variety of clinical settings, but the effect has not been tested in the intermediate care unit. To determine the effect of inhalation of 100% lavender oil on patients' vital signs and perceived quality of sleep in an intermediate care unit. A randomized controlled pilot study was conducted in 50 patients. Control patients received usual care. The treatment group had 3 mL of 100% pure lavender oil in a glass jar in place at the bedside from 10 pm until 6 am. Vital signs were recorded at intervals throughout the night. At 6 am all patients completed the Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to assess quality of sleep. Blood pressure was significantly lower between midnight and 4 am in the treatment group than in the control group (P = .03) According to the overall mean change score in blood pressure between the baseline and 6 am measurements, the treatment group had a decrease in blood pressure and the control group had an increase; however, the difference between the 2 groups was not significant (P = .12). Mean overall sleep score was higher in the intervention group (48.25) than in the control group (40.10), but the difference was not significant. Lavender aromatherapy may be an effective way to improve sleep in an intermediate care unit.

High-pressure amphibolite facies dynamic metamorphism and the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of an ancient continental margin, east- central Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dusel-Bacon, C.; Hansen, V.L.; Scala, J.A.

1995-01-01

Ductilely deformed amphibolite facies tectonites comprise two adjacent terranes in east-central Alaska: the northern, structurally higher Taylor Mountain terrane and the southern, structurally lower Lake George subterrane of the Yukon-Tanana terrane. The pressure, temperature, kinematic and age data are interpreted to indicate that the metamorphism of the Taylor Mountain terrane and Lake George subterrane took place during different phases of a latest Palaeozoic through early Mesozoic shortening episode resulting from closure of an ocean basin now represented by klippen of the Seventymile-Slide Mountain terrane. High- to intermediate-pressure metamorphism of the Taylor Mountain terrane took place within a SW-dipping (present-day coordinates) subduction system. High- to intermediate-pressure metamorphism of the Lake George subterrane and the structural contact zone occurred during NW-directed overthrusting of the Taylor Mountain, Seventymile-Slide Mountain and Nisutlin terranes, and imbrication of the continental margin in Jurassic time. -from Authors

Testing of a 4 K to 2 K heat exchanger with an intermediate pressure drop

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

Knudsen, Peter N.; Ganni, Venkatarao

2015-12-01

Most large sub-atmospheric helium refrigeration systems incorporate a heat exchanger at the load, or in the distribution system, to counter-flow the sub-atmospheric return with the super-critical or liquid supply. A significant process improvement is theoretically obtainable by handling the exergy loss across the Joule-Thompson throttling valve supplying the flow to the load in a simple but different manner. As briefly outlined in previous publications, the exergy loss can be minimized by allowing the supply flow pressure to decrease to a sub-atmospheric pressure concurrent with heat exchange flow from the load. One practical implementation is to sub-divide the supply flow pressuremore » drop between two heat exchanger sections, incorporating an intermediate pressure drop. Such a test is being performed at Jefferson Lab's Cryogenic Test Facility (CTF). This paper will briefly discuss the theory, practical implementation and test results and analysis obtained to date.« less

Development of Carbon Dioxide Hermitic Compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imai, Satoshi; Oda, Atsushi; Ebara, Toshiyuki

Because of global environmental problems, the existing refrigerants are to be replaced with natural refrigerants. CO2 is one of the natural refrigerants and environmentally safe, inflammable and non-toxic refrigerant. Therefore high efficiency compressor that can operate with natural refrigerants, especially CO2, needs to be developed. We developed a prototype CO2 hermetic compressor, which is able to use in carbon dioxide refrigerating systems for practical use. The compressor has two rolling pistons, and it leads to low vibrations, low noise. In additions, two-stage compression with two cylinders is adopted, because pressure difference is too large to compress in one stage. And inner pressure of the shell case is intermediate pressure to minimize gas leakage between compressing rooms and inner space of shell case. Intermediate pressure design enabled to make the compressor smaller in size and lighter in weight. As a result, the compressor achieved high efficiency and high reliability by these technology. We plan to study heat pump water heater, cup vending machine and various applications with CO2 compressor.

Phase development in the Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O y system . Effects of oxygen pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

List, F. A.; Hsu, H.; Cavin, O. B.; Porter, W. D.; Hubbard, C. R.; Kroeger, D. M.

1992-11-01

Studies have been undertaken using thermal analysis, in conjunction with high-temperature and room temperature X-ray diffraction, fraction, to elucidate phase relationships during thermal processing of thick films of initially phase pure Bi 2Sr 2CaCu 2O y (2212) on silver substrates in various oxygen-containing atmospheres (0.001 to 100% O 2). Exothermic events on cooling at 10°C/min from a partially liquid state vary with oxygen partial pressure and can be grouped into three sets (I-III). Set I is prominent for 0.001% and 0.1% O 2 in the range of 740-775°C and is believed to be associated with the crystallization of a Cu-free ∼ Bi 5Sr 3Ca 1 oxide phase. Set II results from the crystallization of 2212; it is observed for p(O 2)≥1.0% in the temperature range 800-870°C. Set III appears for 21% and 100% O 2 in the temperature range 880-910°C, and its origin is not clear from the results of this study. Subsequent room temperature X-ray diffraction from these samples suggests that in general high oxygen partial pressures (100% O 2) tend to favor the formation of Bi 2Sr 2CuO 6 (2201), whereas low oxygen partial pressures (0.001-0.1% O 2) lead to the formation of a Cu-free, Bi-Sr-Ca oxide phase. The 2212 phase forms at this cooling rate predominantly for intermediate oxygen partial pressures (7.6-21% O 2). High-temperature X-ray diffraction during cooling (2°C/h) from the partially liquid state shows a pronounced dependence of the order of evolution of crystalline 2212 and 2201 phases on p(O 2). For an oxygen partial pressure of 1.0% the formation of 2212 precedes that of 2201, whereas for 0.01% O 2 2201 crystallizes at a higher temperature than 2212. The implications of these results pertaining to thermal processing of thick 2212 films are discussed.

Reynolds Number Effects on the Performance of Ailerons and Spoilers (Invited)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mineck, R. E.

2001-01-01

The influence of Reynolds number on the performance of outboard spoilers and ailerons was investigated on a generic subsonic transport configuration in the National Transonic Facility over a chord Reynolds number range from 3 to 30 million and a Mach number range from 0.70 to 0.94. Spoiler deflection angles of 0, 10, and 20 degrees and aileron deflection angles of -10, 0, and 10 degrees were tested. Aeroelastic effects were minimized by testing at constant normalized dynamic pressure conditions over intermediate Reynolds number ranges. Results indicated that the increment in rolling moment due to spoiler deflection generally becomes more negative as the Reynolds number increases from 3 x 10(exp 6) to 22 x 10 (exp 6) with only small changes between Reynolds numbers of 22 x 10(exp 6) and 30 x 10(exp 6). The change in the increment in rolling moment coefficient with Reynolds number for the aileron deflected configuration is generally small with a general trend of increasing magnitude with increasing Reynolds number.

Kinetics of a Criegee intermediate that would survive high humidity and may oxidize atmospheric SO2

PubMed Central

Huang, Hao-Li; Chao, Wen; Lin, Jim Jr-Min

2015-01-01

Criegee intermediates are thought to play a role in atmospheric chemistry, in particular, the oxidation of SO2, which produces SO3 and subsequently H2SO4, an important constituent of aerosols and acid rain. However, the impact of such oxidation reactions is affected by the reactions of Criegee intermediates with water vapor, because of high water concentrations in the troposphere. In this work, the kinetics of the reactions of dimethyl substituted Criegee intermediate (CH3)2COO with water vapor and with SO2 were directly measured via UV absorption of (CH3)2COO under near-atmospheric conditions. The results indicate that (i) the water reaction with (CH3)2COO is not fast enough (kH2O < 1.5 × 10−16 cm3s−1) to consume atmospheric (CH3)2COO significantly and (ii) (CH3)2COO reacts with SO2 at a near–gas-kinetic-limit rate (kSO2 = 1.3 × 10−10 cm3s−1). These observations imply a significant fraction of atmospheric (CH3)2COO may survive under humid conditions and react with SO2, very different from the case of the simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO, in which the reaction with water dimer predominates in the CH2OO decay under typical tropospheric conditions. In addition, a significant pressure dependence was observed for the reaction of (CH3)2COO with SO2, suggesting the use of low pressure rate may underestimate the impact of this reaction. This work demonstrates that the reactivity of a Criegee intermediate toward water vapor strongly depends on its structure, which will influence the main decay pathways and steady-state concentrations for various Criegee intermediates in the atmosphere. PMID:26283390

Kinetics of a Criegee intermediate that would survive high humidity and may oxidize atmospheric SO2.

PubMed

Huang, Hao-Li; Chao, Wen; Lin, Jim Jr-Min

2015-09-01

Criegee intermediates are thought to play a role in atmospheric chemistry, in particular, the oxidation of SO2, which produces SO3 and subsequently H2SO4, an important constituent of aerosols and acid rain. However, the impact of such oxidation reactions is affected by the reactions of Criegee intermediates with water vapor, because of high water concentrations in the troposphere. In this work, the kinetics of the reactions of dimethyl substituted Criegee intermediate (CH3)2COO with water vapor and with SO2 were directly measured via UV absorption of (CH3)2COO under near-atmospheric conditions. The results indicate that (i) the water reaction with (CH3)2COO is not fast enough (kH2O < 1.5 × 10(-16) cm(3) s(-1)) to consume atmospheric (CH3)2COO significantly and (ii) (CH3)2COO reacts with SO2 at a near-gas-kinetic-limit rate (kSO2 = 1.3 × 10(-10) cm(3) s(-1)). These observations imply a significant fraction of atmospheric (CH3)2COO may survive under humid conditions and react with SO2, very different from the case of the simplest Criegee intermediate CH2OO, in which the reaction with water dimer predominates in the CH2OO decay under typical tropospheric conditions. In addition, a significant pressure dependence was observed for the reaction of (CH3)2COO with SO2, suggesting the use of low pressure rate may underestimate the impact of this reaction. This work demonstrates that the reactivity of a Criegee intermediate toward water vapor strongly depends on its structure, which will influence the main decay pathways and steady-state concentrations for various Criegee intermediates in the atmosphere.

Combined effects of Sr substitution and pressure on the ground states in CaFe2As2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knöner, S.; Gati, E.; Köhler, S.; Wolf, B.; Tutsch, U.; Ran, S.; Torikachvili, M. S.; Bud'ko, S. L.; Canfield, P. C.; Lang, M.

2016-10-01

We present a detailed study of the combined effects of Sr substitution and hydrostatic pressure on the ground-state properties of CaFe2As2 . Measurements of the electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility, both at ambient and finite pressure P ≤2 GPa, were performed on Ca1 -xSrxFe2As2 single crystals grown out of Sn flux. We find that by Sr substitution the transition temperature to the magnetic/structural phase is enhanced and therefore a higher pressure is needed to suppress the transition to lowest temperature. In addition, the transition to the collapsed tetragonal phase is found at a pressure, which is distinctly higher than in the pure compound. This implies that the stability ranges of both phases shift on the pressure-axis upon doping, but the latter one with a higher rate. These observations suggest the possibility of separating the two phase lines, which intersect already at elevated temperatures for x =0 and low Sr concentration levels. For x =0.177 , we find strong evidence that both phases remain separated down to the lowest temperature and that a zero-resistance state emerges in this intermediate pressure window. This observation indicates that Sr substitution combined with hydrostatic pressure provides another route for stabilizing superconductivity in CaFe2As2 . Our results are consistent with the notion that (i) preserving the fluctuations associated with the structural-magnetic transition to low temperatures is vital for superconductivity to form in this material and that (ii) the nonmagnetic collapsed tetragonal phase is detrimental for superconductivity.

Rating long-term care facilities on pressure ulcer development: importance of case-mix adjustment.

PubMed

Berlowitz, D R; Ash, A S; Brandeis, G H; Brand, H K; Halpern, J L; Moskowitz, M A

1996-03-15

To determine the importance of case-mix adjustment in interpreting differences in rates of pressure ulcer development in Department of Veterans Affairs long- term care facilities. A sample assembled from the Patient Assessment File, a Veterans Affairs administrative database, was used to derive predictors of pressure ulcer development; the resulting model was validated in a separate sample. Facility-level rates of pressure ulcer development, both unadjusted and adjusted for case mix using the predictive model, were compared. Department of Veterans Affairs long-term care facilities. The derivation sample consisted of 31 150 intermediate medicine and nursing home residents who were initially free of pressure ulcers and were institutionalized between October 1991 and April 1993. The validation sample consisted of 17 946 residents institutionalized from April 1993 to October 1993. Development of a stage 2 or greater pressure ulcer. 11 factors predicted pressure ulcer development. Validated performance properties of the resulting model were good. Model-predicted rates of pressure ulcer development at individual long-term care facilities varied from 1.9% to 6.3%, and observed rates ranged from 0% to 10.9%. Case-mix-adjusted rates and ranks of facilities differed considerably from unadjusted ratings. For example, among five facilities that were identified as high outliers on the basis of unadjusted rates, two remained as outliers after adjustment for case mix. Long-term care facilities differ in case mix. Adjustments for case mix result in different judgments about facility performance and should be used when facility incidence rates are compared.

Plasma Jet Printing and in Situ Reduction of Highly Acidic Graphene Oxide.

PubMed

Dey, Avishek; Krishnamurthy, Satheesh; Bowen, James; Nordlund, Dennis; Meyyappan, M; Gandhiraman, Ram P

2018-05-23

Miniaturization of electronic devices and the advancement of Internet of Things pose exciting challenges to develop technologies for patterned deposition of functional nanomaterials. Printed and flexible electronic devices and energy storage devices can be embedded onto clothing or other flexible surfaces. Graphene oxide (GO) has gained much attention in printed electronics due its solution processability, robustness, and high electrical conductivity in the reduced state. Here, we introduce an approach to print GO films from highly acidic suspensions with in situ reduction using an atmospheric pressure plasma jet. Low-temperature plasma of a He and H 2 mixture was used successfully to reduce a highly acidic GO suspension (pH < 2) in situ during deposition. This technique overcomes the multiple intermediate steps required to increase the conductivity of deposited GO. X-ray spectroscopic studies confirmed that the reaction intermediates and the concentration of oxygen functionalities bonded to GO have been reduced significantly by this approach without any additional steps. Moreover, the reduced GO films showed enhanced conductivity. Hence, this technique has a strong potential for printing conducting patterns of GO for a range of large-scale applications.

Pressure determination in Hydrothermal Diamond Anvil Cell via laser interferometry: Investigation of hydrothermal melting of haplogranitic glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solferino, G.; Anderson, A. J.

2012-12-01

Pressure determination in HDAC experiments of hydrothermal melting of a haplogranitic glass at 130-830 MPa and 600-800 °C were performed employing in-situ visualization of alpha to beta quartz via laser interferometry. Hitherto, Raman spectroscopy of ruby, quartz, 13C and zircon has been used for the same purpose, with a best resolution of 40-50 MPa. Our method average uncertainty is just 3.4 MPa. This augmented precision is critical in estimate of the emplacement depth of mid to upper crustal magmatic bodies, e.g., intermediate-felsic intrusions, or definition of formation conditions of magmatic ores, like rare metal pegmatites. Moreover, thanks to this improved resolution on pressure measurements, we observed that actual run pressure, named Pα/β, is smaller than pressure computed using the equation of state (EOS) of pure water, here labeled PH2O for an ample range of pressures, up to 400 MPa. The absolute value of ΔP = Pα/β- PH2O decrease at higher pressure, and switches from negative to positive at P > 800 MPa. Since dissolution of the glass/melt into the pressure medium (water) leads to increment of the medium compressibility (density), then the medium should be able to impose a larger pressure than pure water for every observed temperature of alpha to beta transition (i.e., steeper isochor). A possible explanation of this discrepancy is found in the differential density between the pressure medium and the melt, and in the change of the volume occupied by the fluid for increasing temperature, as it emerges from a simplified model of dissolution of albite feldspar / albite melt in water, prepared for this study on the base of solubility data available in literature.

First observation of a negative elastic constant in intermediate valent TmSe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boppart, H.; Treindl, A.; Wachter, P.; Roth, S.

1980-08-01

The sound velocities v L, v T 1 and v T 2 have been measured at 15 MHz on Tm 3+0.87Se and Tm 2.8+0.99Se between 300 K and 4.2 K and the elastic constants c ij have been derived. In intermediate valent Tm 2.8+0.99Se c 12 turned out to be negative. This sign is interpreted as being typical for intermediate valent compounds. Also for the first time experimental evidence is given for crystal field effects in Tm 3+0.87Se. Strong elastic nonlinearities are observed in intermediate valent Tm 2.8+0.99Se with uniaxial pressure.

Effects of Long- and Intermediate-Wavelength Nonuniformities on Hot-Spot Energetics of Hydrodynamic Equivalent Targets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, A.; Betti, R.; Woo, K. M.; Christopherson, A. R.; Shvarts, D.

2015-11-01

The impact of intermediate- and low-mode nonuniformities on the performance of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions is investigated by a detailed study of hot-spot energetics. It is found that low- (1 ~ 2) and intermediate-mode (1 >= 10) asymmetries affect the hot-spot hydrodynamics in very different ways. It is observed that for low-mode asymmetries, the fusion yield decreases because of a significant reduction in hot-spot pressure while the neutron-averaged hot-spot volume remains comparable to that of unperturbed (clean) simulations. On the other hand, implosions with moderate-amplitude, intermediate-wavelength modes, which are amplified by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI), exhibit a fusion-yield degradation primarily caused by a reduction in the burn volume without significant degradation of the pressure. For very large amplitudes, the intermediate modes show a ``secondary piston effect,'' where the converging RTI spikes compress a much smaller volume, allowing for a secondary conversion of the shell's kinetic energy to internal energy at a central region. Understanding the effects of nonuniformities on the hot-spot energetics provides valuable insight in determining the causes of performance degradation in current ICF experiments. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944 and DE-FC02-04ER54789 (Fusion Science Center).

Dynamic Testing of Laterally Confined Concrete

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

for Intermediate Confining pressure (Dashed Curve). 31 23. Example of Regression Fit by Equation (6) for Highest Pressure Group (Dashed Curve... pressure group , loaded by a moderate striker-bar impact speed of 420 in/sec. (10.7 m/s). The peak stress of 124 MPa (18 ksi) occurs at a strain of...survived at one end. This was for the highest speed impact in the lowest confining pressure group . Curves are given in the Appendix Figure A-15. The

The Child-Langmuir laws and cathode sheath in the N2O

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lisovskiy, Valeriy; Artushenko, Ekaterina; Yegorenkov, Vladimir

2013-09-01

It is established which of the Child-Langmuir collisional laws are most appropriate for describing the cathode sheath in the N2O. At low pressure p < 0 . 3 Torr the Child-Langmuir law version relating to the constant ion mobility. At p > 0 . 75 Torr one has to employ the law version for which it is assumed that ion mean free path within the cathode sheath is constant. In the intermediate pressure range 0 . 3 < p < 0 . 75 Torr neither of the Child-Langmuir law versions gives a correct description of the cathode sheath in the N2O. The ratio of the normal current density to the gas pressure squared J /p2 , the normal voltage drop and the cathode sheath thickness are determined. For the stainless steel cathode they equals to U = 364 V and pd = 2 . 5 Torr .mm. At large N2O pressure the above ratio remains constant and it amounts to J /p2 = 0.44 mA/(cm .Torr)2 for any inter-electrode gap value we studied. On decreasing the N2O pressure the ratio J /p2 increases and for narrow gaps between electrodes it may approach several or even several tens mA/(cm .Torr)2. and Scientific Center of Physical Technologies, Svobody Sq.6, Kharkov, 61022, Ukraine.

Intermediate visual acuity of presbyopic individuals with and without distance and bifocal lens corrections.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-03-01

Visual acuity was determined at the intermediate range for older individuals with various combinations of ocular refractive error (nine subcategories) and accommodative power (three subcategories). Subjects (N=249) read numerals ranging in size to me...

Solar photothermochemical alkane reverse combustion

PubMed Central

Chanmanee, Wilaiwan; Islam, Mohammad Fakrul; Dennis, Brian H.; MacDonnell, Frederick M.

2016-01-01

A one-step, gas-phase photothermocatalytic process for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, including liquid alkanes, aromatics, and oxygenates, with carbon numbers (Cn) up to C13, from CO2 and water is demonstrated in a flow photoreactor operating at elevated temperatures (180–200 °C) and pressures (1–6 bar) using a 5% cobalt on TiO2 catalyst and under UV irradiation. A parametric study of temperature, pressure, and partial pressure ratio revealed that temperatures in excess of 160 °C are needed to obtain the higher Cn products in quantity and that the product distribution shifts toward higher Cn products with increasing pressure. In the best run so far, over 13% by mass of the products were C5+ hydrocarbons and some of these, i.e., octane, are drop-in replacements for existing liquid hydrocarbons fuels. Dioxygen was detected in yields ranging between 64% and 150%. In principle, this tandem photochemical–thermochemical process, fitted with a photocatalyst better matched to the solar spectrum, could provide a cheap and direct method to produce liquid hydrocarbons from CO2 and water via a solar process which uses concentrated sunlight for both photochemical excitation to generate high-energy intermediates and heat to drive important thermochemical carbon-chain-forming reactions. PMID:26903631

78 FR 70487 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-26

... Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... turbofan engines. This AD requires removal of certain high-pressure (HP) and intermediate-pressure (IP..., RB211 Trent 768-60, 772-60, and 772B-60 turbofan engines with turbine disc part numbers (P/Ns) and...

[Obesity, body morphology, and blood pressure in urban and rural population groups of Yucatan].

PubMed

Arroyo, Pedro; Fernández, Victoria; Loría, Alvar; Pardío, Jeannette; Laviada, Hugo; Vargas-Ancona, Lizardo; Ward, Ryk

2007-01-01

To characterize body morphology and blood pressure of adults of the Mexican state of Yucatan. Rural-urban differences in weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences, and blood pressure were analyzed in 313 urban and 271 rural subjects. No rural-urban differences in prevalence of obesity and overweight were found. Hypertension was marginally higher in urban subjects. Rural abnormal waist circumference was higher in young men and young women. Comparison with two national surveys and a survey in the aboriginal population (rural mixtecos) showed similar prevalence of obesity as ENSA-2000 and higher than mixtecos and ENEC-1993. Abnormal waist circumference was intermediate between ENSANUT-2006 and mixtecos and hypertension was intermediate between ENEC and mixtecos. The Maya and mestizo population of Yucatan showed a high prevalence of obesity and abnormal waist circumference not accompanied by a comparable higher hypertension frequency. This finding requires further confirmation.

Simplifying the assessment of coronary artery stenosis by enhancing instantaneous wave free ratio.

PubMed

Spagnoli, Vincent; Picard, Fabien; Tadros, Victor-Xavier; Cournoyer, Daniel; Doucet, Serge; Tanguay, Jean François; Gosselin, Gilbert; de Guise, Pierre; Gallo, Richard

2018-04-01

Instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) does not require adenosine, but has a relatively wide intermediate range where functional assessment remains inconclusive. In this pilot study, we sought to enhance iFR through with the use of intracoronary (IC) saline (iFRs) and contrast media (iFRc) and determine whether these techniques correlated well with fractional flow reserve (FFR). Patients with coronary artery stenosis (CAS) associated with an iFR in the intermediate zone (≥0.86 and ≤0.93) were prospectively assessed with resting distal coronary pressure/aorta pressure (Pd/Pa), iFR, iFRs, iFRc and FFR. A total of 40 coronary lesions were studied (40 patients). Pearson correlation coefficients for FFR and iFR, FFR and iFRs, FFR and iFRc were respectively: 0.57 (P=0.0002), 0.80 (P<0.0001) and 0.77 (P<0.0001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed similar area under the curve (AUC) of iFRs and iFR [0.90 (95% CI: 0.76-1) vs. 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79-0.99), P=0.89]. Youden's index established cut-off values of ≤0.90 for iFR (sensitivity =91%, specificity =74%) and ≤0.78 for iFRs (sensitivity =73%, specificity =100%). In contrast, the AUC of iFRc was superior to the AUC of iFR [0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1), P=0.049]. iFRc showed excellent accuracy and established cut-off values of ≤0.81 in predicting an FFR value of ≤0.80 (sensitivity =100%, specificity =93%). When iFR is in the intermediate zone, functional assessment of CAS by iFR is enhanced with the use of contrast media but not saline. This pilot study could be hypothesis generating for further study to enhance iFR specificity and sensibility.

Simplifying the assessment of coronary artery stenosis by enhancing instantaneous wave free ratio

PubMed Central

Spagnoli, Vincent; Picard, Fabien; Tadros, Victor-Xavier; Cournoyer, Daniel; Doucet, Serge; Tanguay, Jean François; Gosselin, Gilbert; de Guise, Pierre

2018-01-01

Background Instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR) does not require adenosine, but has a relatively wide intermediate range where functional assessment remains inconclusive. In this pilot study, we sought to enhance iFR through with the use of intracoronary (IC) saline (iFRs) and contrast media (iFRc) and determine whether these techniques correlated well with fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods Patients with coronary artery stenosis (CAS) associated with an iFR in the intermediate zone (≥0.86 and ≤0.93) were prospectively assessed with resting distal coronary pressure/aorta pressure (Pd/Pa), iFR, iFRs, iFRc and FFR. Results A total of 40 coronary lesions were studied (40 patients). Pearson correlation coefficients for FFR and iFR, FFR and iFRs, FFR and iFRc were respectively: 0.57 (P=0.0002), 0.80 (P<0.0001) and 0.77 (P<0.0001). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed similar area under the curve (AUC) of iFRs and iFR [0.90 (95% CI: 0.76–1) vs. 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79–0.99), P=0.89]. Youden’s index established cut-off values of ≤0.90 for iFR (sensitivity =91%, specificity =74%) and ≤0.78 for iFRs (sensitivity =73%, specificity =100%). In contrast, the AUC of iFRc was superior to the AUC of iFR [0.99 (95% CI: 0.98–1), P=0.049]. iFRc showed excellent accuracy and established cut-off values of ≤0.81 in predicting an FFR value of ≤0.80 (sensitivity =100%, specificity =93%). Conclusions When iFR is in the intermediate zone, functional assessment of CAS by iFR is enhanced with the use of contrast media but not saline. This pilot study could be hypothesis generating for further study to enhance iFR specificity and sensibility. PMID:29850406

Henry's law constants of polyols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Compernolle, S.; Müller, J.-F.

2014-12-01

Henry's law constants (HLC) are derived for several polyols bearing between 2 and 6 hydroxyl groups, based on literature data for water activity, vapour pressure and/or solubility. While deriving HLC and depending on the case, also infinite dilution activity coefficients (IDACs), solid state vapour pressures or activity coefficient ratios are obtained as intermediate results. An error analysis on the intermediate quantities and the obtained HLC is included. For most compounds, these are the first values reported, while others compare favourably with literature data in most cases. Using these values and those from a previous work (Compernolle and Müller, 2014), an assessment is made on the partitioning of polyols, diacids and hydroxy acids to droplet and aqueous aerosol.

High-pressure behavior of intermediate scapolite: compressibility, structure deformation and phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotti, Paolo; Comboni, Davide; Merlini, Marco; Hanfland, Michael

2018-05-01

Scapolites are common volatile-bearing minerals in metamorphic rocks. In this study, the high-pressure behavior of an intermediate member of the scapolite solid solution series (Me47), chemical formula (Na1.86Ca1.86K0.23Fe0.01)(Al4.36Si7.64)O24[Cl0.48(CO3)0.48(SO4)0.01], has been investigated up to 17.79 GPa, by means of in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The isothermal elastic behavior of the studied scapolite has been described by a III-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, which provided the following refined parameters: V 0 = 1110.6(7) Å3, {K_{{V_0}}} = 70(2) GPa ({β _{{V_0}}} = 0.0143(4) GPa-1) and {K_{{V}}^' = 4.8(7). The refined bulk modulus is intermediate between those previously reported for Me17 and Me68 scapolite samples, confirming that the bulk compressibility among the solid solution increases with the Na content. A discussion on the P-induced structure deformation mechanisms of tetragonal scapolite at the atomic scale is provided, along with the implications of the reported results for the modeling of scapolite stability. In addition, a single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition, which is displacive in character, has been observed toward a triclinic polymorph at 9.87 GPa. The high-pressure triclinic polymorph was found to be stable up to the highest pressure investigated.

Phonon anomalies in intermediate valent TmXSe and TmSe1 - yTey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boppart, H.; Treindl, A.; Wachter, P.

1981-03-01

In TmxSe and TmSe1-yTey the degree of valence mixing can be adjusted between nearly 3+ for Tm0.87Se and 2.55+ for TmSe0.7Te0.3. The measurement of sound velocities vL, vTl and vT2 and the evaluation of the Raman effect for various compositions permit the derivation of LA [111] phonon dispersion at critical points in the Brillouin zone. vL decreases with increasing valence mixing. Near the middle of the zone the LA branch gets a dip for intermediate valent compositions, resulting in a characteristic peak in the Ramn spectrum at about 60 cm-1. The elastic constant c12 has been found negative for Tm0.99Se, also at 4.2 K. For uniaxial pressures c12 exhibits strong nonlinearities and even changes sign with pressure in an intermediate valent composition. The optical phonon frequencies, LO (L) also soften proportional with the degree of valence mixing.

Fossil intermediate-depth earthquakes in subducting slabs linked to differential stress release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scambelluri, Marco; Pennacchioni, Giorgio; Gilio, Mattia; Bestmann, Michel; Plümper, Oliver; Nestola, Fabrizio

2017-12-01

The cause of intermediate-depth (50-300 km) seismicity in subduction zones is uncertain. It is typically attributed either to rock embrittlement associated with fluid pressurization, or to thermal runaway instabilities. Here we document glassy pseudotachylyte fault rocks—the products of frictional melting during coseismic faulting—in the Lanzo Massif ophiolite in the Italian Western Alps. These pseudotachylytes formed at subduction-zone depths of 60-70 km in poorly hydrated to dry oceanic gabbro and mantle peridotite. This rock suite is a fossil analogue to an oceanic lithospheric mantle that undergoes present-day subduction. The pseudotachylytes locally preserve high-pressure minerals that indicate an intermediate-depth seismic environment. These pseudotachylytes are important because they are hosted in a near-anhydrous lithosphere free of coeval ductile deformation, which excludes an origin by dehydration embrittlement or thermal runaway processes. Instead, our observations indicate that seismicity in cold subducting slabs can be explained by the release of differential stresses accumulated in strong dry metastable rocks.

Nutrition systems for pressure suits.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huber, C. S.; Heidelbaugh, N. D.; Rapp, R. M.; Smith, M. C., Jr.

1973-01-01

Nutrition systems were successfully developed in the Apollo Program for astronauts wearing pressure suits during emergency decompression situations and during lunar surface explorations. These nutrition systems consisted of unique dispensers, water, flavored beverages, nutrient-fortified beverages, and intermediate moisture food bars. The emergency decompression system dispensed the nutrition from outside the pressure suit by interfacing with a suit helmet penetration port. The lunar exploration system utilized dispensers stowed within the interior layers of the pressure suit. These systems could be adapted for provision of nutrients in other situations requiring the use of pressure suits.

Method to synthesize dense crystallized sodalite pellet for immobilizing halide salt radioactive waste

DOEpatents

Koyama, Tadafumi

1994-01-01

A method for immobilizing waste chloride salts containing radionuclides such as cesium and strontium and hazardous materials such as barium. A sodalite intermediate is prepared by mixing appropriate amounts of silica, alumina and sodium hydroxide with respect to sodalite and heating the mixture to form the sodalite intermediate and water. Heating is continued to drive off the water to form a water-free intermediate. The water-free intermediate is mixed with either waste salt or waste salt which has been contacted with zeolite to concentrate the radionuclides and hazardous material. The waste salt-intermediate mixture is then compacted and heated under conditions of heat and pressure to form sodalite with the waste salt, radionuclides and hazardous material trapped within the sodalite cage structure. This provides a final product having excellent leach resistant capabilities.

Method to synthesize dense crystallized sodalite pellet for immobilizing halide salt radioactive waste

DOEpatents

Koyama, Tadafumi.

1994-08-23

A method is described for immobilizing waste chloride salts containing radionuclides such as cesium and strontium and hazardous materials such as barium. A sodalite intermediate is prepared by mixing appropriate amounts of silica, alumina and sodium hydroxide with respect to sodalite and heating the mixture to form the sodalite intermediate and water. Heating is continued to drive off the water to form a water-free intermediate. The water-free intermediate is mixed with either waste salt or waste salt which has been contacted with zeolite to concentrate the radionuclides and hazardous material. The waste salt-intermediate mixture is then compacted and heated under conditions of heat and pressure to form sodalite with the waste salt, radionuclides and hazardous material trapped within the sodalite cage structure. This provides a final product having excellent leach resistant capabilities.

Method to synthesize dense crystallized sodalite pellet for immobilizing halide salt radioactive waste

DOEpatents

Koyama, T.

1992-01-01

This report describes a method for immobilizing waste chloride salts containing radionuclides such as cesium and strontium and hazardous materials such as barium. A sodalite intermediate is prepared by mixing appropriate amounts of silica, alumina and sodium hydroxide with respect to sodalite and heating the mixture to form the sodalite intermediate and water. Heating is continued to drive off the water to form a water-free intermediate. The water-free intermediate is mixed with either waste salt or waste salt which has been contacted with zeolite to concentrate the radionuclides and hazardous material. The waste salt-intermediate mixture is then compacted and heated under conditions of heat and pressure to form sodalite with the waste salt, radionuclides and hazardous material trapped within the sodalite cage structure. This provides a final product having excellent leach resistant capabilities.

Tunable Quantum Spin Liquidity in the 1 /6 th-Filled Breathing Kagome Lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbari-Sharbaf, A.; Sinclair, R.; Verrier, A.; Ziat, D.; Zhou, H. D.; Sun, X. F.; Quilliam, J. A.

2018-06-01

We present measurements on a series of materials, Li2 In1 -xScx Mo3 O8 , that can be described as a 1 /6 th-filled breathing kagome lattice. Substituting Sc for In generates chemical pressure which alters the breathing parameter nonmonotonically. Muon spin rotation experiments show that this chemical pressure tunes the system from antiferromagnetic long range order to a quantum spin liquid phase. A strong correlation with the breathing parameter implies that it is the dominant parameter controlling the level of magnetic frustration, with increased kagome symmetry generating the quantum spin liquid phase. Magnetic susceptibility measurements suggest that this is related to distinct types of charge order induced by changes in lattice symmetry, in line with the theory of Chen et al. [Phys. Rev. B 93, 245134 (2016), 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.245134]. The specific heat for samples at intermediate Sc concentration, which have the minimum breathing parameter, show consistency with the predicted U (1 ) quantum spin liquid.

Explosive to Effusive Transition in Intermediate Volcanism: An Analysis of Changing Magma System Conditions in Dominica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bersson, J.; Waters, L. E.; Frey, H. M.; Nicolaysen, K. P.; Manon, M. R. F.

2017-12-01

The oscillation between explosive and effusive intermediate (59-62 wt% SiO2) volcanism in the Roseau Valley on Dominica, an island in the Lesser Antilles Arc, provides an opportunity to investigate temporal changes in the magmatic system. Here, we test the relationship between the Roseau ignimbrites (1-65 ka) and the Micotrin dome ( 1.1 ka) which are proposed to originate from the same magmatic system, with a detailed petrologic analysis of phenocrysts to determine commonalities or changes in pre-eruptive conditions (i.e., intensive variables). The ignimbrites are saturated in five phenocrysts (plagioclase + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + ilmenite + magnetite ± amphibole ± quartz), and the lava dome contains the same assemblage, but with notable differences: amphiboles are entirely reacted, and quartz occurs in greater abundance. Plagioclase in the ignimbrites ranges in composition from An46-93, and those in the dome range from An46-85. Two Fe-Ti oxide geo-thermometry reveal pre-eruptive temperatures from 730-820°C for three different ignimbrite units, whereas the pre-eruptive temperature for the dome is slightly hotter (850±23°C). Values of fO2 (relative to NNO) derived from Fe-Ti oxide oxygen-barometry range from +0.3 to +1.32 ΔNNO for the ignimbrites, which overlap with those from the dome (+0.5 to +0.9 ΔNNO). Pre-eruptive temperatures, plagioclase compositions, whole rock and glass compositions are incorporated into a plagioclase-liquid hygrometer to determine pre-eruptive melt H2O contents for each sample. H2O contents for ignimbrites range from 7.1-9.3 wt%, and those from the lava dome range from 6.7-7.1 wt%. Application of a H2O solubility model shows that water contents for the Roseau magmas correspond to pressures of 3-5 kbar. The most notable difference between the explosive and effusive magmas is that the lava dome has a higher pre-eruptive temperature than the ignimbrites. However, the results collectively suggest that more recent volcanism in the Roseau Valley (<5 ka) has hotter pre-eruptive temperatures, regardless of eruptive style, and that these intermediate magmas originate from sources in the deep crust (>5 kb). Understanding the magmatic system beneath Micotrin is important, as the capital of Roseau (pop. 15,000), is at the foot of the valley, built on old pyroclastic deposits.

Hydrogeology of the surficial and intermediate aquifer systems in Sarasota and adjacent counties, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barr, G.L.

1996-01-01

From 1991 to 1995, the hydrogeology of the surficial aquifer system and the major permeable zones and confining units of the intermediate aquifer system in southwest Florida was studied. The study area is a 1,400-square-mile area that includes Sarasota County and parts of Manatee, De Soto, Charlotte, and Lee Counties. Lithologic, geophysical, hydraulic property, and water-level data were used to correlate the hydrogeology and map the extent of the aquifer systems. Water chemistry was evaluated in southwest Sarasota County to determine salinity of the surficial and intermediate aquifer systems. The surficial aquifer is an unconfined aquifer system that overlies the intermediate aquifer system and ranges from a few feet to over 60 feet in thickness in the study area. Hydraulic properties of the surficial aquifer system determined from aquifer and laboratory tests, and model simulations vary considerably across the study area. The intermediate aquifer system, a confined aquifer system that lies between the surficial and the Upper Floridan aquifers, is composed of alternating confining units and permeable zones. The intermediate aquifer system has three major permeable zones that exhibit a wide range of hydraulic properties. Horizontal flow in the intermediate aquifer system is northeast to southwest. Most of the study area is in a discharge area of the intermediate aquifer system. Water ranges naturally from fresh in the surficial aquifer system and upper permeable zones of the intermediate aquifer system to moderately saline in the lower permeable zone. Water-quality data collected in coastal southwest Sarasota County indicate that ground-water withdrawals from major pumping centers have resulted in lateral seawater intrusion and upconing into the surficial and intermediate aquifer systems.

Pediatric hypertension in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Alkahtani, Shaea A.

2015-01-01

Objectives: To compare the levels of blood pressure (BP) between male and female adolescents in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and reference percentiles for Saudi adolescents. A secondary aim was to explore the distribution of BP among the participants based on age and gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 146 boys and girls attending intermediate and secondary schools in 2 regions (Al-Mallaha and Al-Mubarraz) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Weight, random blood glucose, and BP were collected by a team of health educators in the morning of the school day between April and May 2014. Results: Of the current sample of adolescents originally from the Eastern Province, 30% had systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥140 mm Hg and 22% had diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg. For girls between 13 and 16 years old, the SBP was greater than the 95th percentile of Saudi national norms. Participants were classified by gender and school stage, and one-way analysis of variance showed significant differences in the means of SBP between intermediate boys (127±2.5 mm Hg) and secondary boys (136±2.1 mm Hg) (p<0.05), and between intermediate boys and intermediate girls (138±1.6 mm Hg) (p<0.01). Conclusion: The increased level of BP among adolescents originally from the Eastern Province raises the need to update the current BP nomograms, considering possible differences for specific geographic areas across the country. Implementing therapeutic life style management in girls’ schools is recommended. PMID:25987114

Unimolecular decomposition reactions at low-pressure: A comparison of competitive methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adams, G. F.

1980-01-01

The lack of a simple rate coefficient expression to describe the pressure and temperature dependence hampers chemical modeling of flame systems. Recently developed simplified models to describe unimolecular processes include the calculation of rate constants for thermal unimolecular reactions and recombinations at the low pressure limit, at the high pressure limit and in the intermediate fall-off region. Comparison between two different applications of Troe's simplified model and a comparison between the simplified model and the classic RRKM theory are described.

Projecting non-diffracting waves with intermediate-plane holography.

PubMed

Mondal, Argha; Yevick, Aaron; Blackburn, Lauren C; Kanellakopoulos, Nikitas; Grier, David G

2018-02-19

We introduce intermediate-plane holography, which substantially improves the ability of holographic trapping systems to project propagation-invariant modes of light using phase-only diffractive optical elements. Translating the mode-forming hologram to an intermediate plane in the optical train can reduce the need to encode amplitude variations in the field, and therefore complements well-established techniques for encoding complex-valued transfer functions into phase-only holograms. Compared to standard holographic trapping implementations, intermediate-plane holograms greatly improve diffraction efficiency and mode purity of propagation-invariant modes, and so increase their useful non-diffracting range. We demonstrate this technique through experimental realizations of accelerating modes and long-range tractor beams.

Neutron Scattering Measurements of Carbon Dioxide Adsorption in Pores within the Marcellus Shale: Implications for Sequestration.

PubMed

Stefanopoulos, Konstantinos L; Youngs, Tristan G A; Sakurovs, Richard; Ruppert, Leslie F; Bahadur, Jitendra; Melnichenko, Yuri B

2017-06-06

Shale is an increasingly viable source of natural gas and a potential candidate for geologic CO 2 sequestration. Understanding the gas adsorption behavior on shale is necessary for the design of optimal gas recovery and sequestration projects. In the present study neutron diffraction and small-angle neutron scattering measurements of adsorbed CO 2 in Marcellus Shale samples were conducted on the Near and InterMediate Range Order Diffractometer (NIMROD) at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory along an adsorption isotherm of 22 °C and pressures of 25 and 40 bar. Additional measurements were conducted at approximately 22 and 60 °C at the same pressures on the General-Purpose Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (GP-SANS) instrument at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The structures investigated (pores) for CO 2 adsorption range in size from Å level to ∼50 nm. The results indicate that, using the conditions investigated densification or condensation effects occurred in all accessible pores. The data suggest that at 22 °C the CO 2 has liquid-like properties when confined in pores of around 1 nm radius at pressures as low as 25 bar. Many of the 2.5 nm pores, 70% of 2 nm pores, most of the <1 nm pores, and all pores <0.25 nm, are inaccessible or closed to CO 2 , suggesting that despite the vast numbers of micropores in shale, the micropores will be unavailable for storage for geologic CO 2 sequestration.

Stage design

DOEpatents

Shacter, J.

1975-12-01

A method is described of cycling gases through a plurality of diffusion stages comprising the steps of admitting the diffused gases from a first diffusion stage into an axial compressor, simultaneously admitting the undiffused gases from a second diffusion stage into an intermediate pressure zone of said compressor corresponding in pressure to the pressure of said undiffused gases, and then admitting the resulting compressed mixture of diffused and undiffused gases into a third diffusion stage.

Spiral inlets for steam turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Škach, Radek; Uher, Jan

2017-09-01

This paper deals with the design process of special nozzle blades for spiral inlets. Spiral inlets are used for the first stages of high pressure and intermediate pressure steam turbines with both reaction and impulse blades when throttling or sliding pressure control is applied. They improve the steam flow uniformity from the inlet pipe and thus decrease the aerodynamic losses. The proposed evaluation of the inlet angle is based on the free vortex law.

Remnant cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure as mediators from obesity to ischemic heart disease.

PubMed

Varbo, Anette; Benn, Marianne; Smith, George Davey; Timpson, Nicholas J; Tybjaerg-Hansen, Anne; Nordestgaard, Børge G

2015-02-13

Obesity leads to increased ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk, but the risk is thought to be mediated through intermediate variables and may not be caused by increased weight per se. To test the hypothesis that the increased IHD risk because of obesity is mediated through lipoproteins, blood pressure, glucose, and C-reactive protein. Approximately 90 000 participants from Copenhagen were included in a Mendelian randomization design with mediation analyses. Associations were examined using conventional measurements of body mass index and intermediate variables and using genetic variants associated with these. During ≤22 years of follow-up 13 945 participants developed IHD. The increased IHD risk caused by obesity was partly mediated through elevated levels of nonfasting remnant cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, through elevated blood pressure, and possibly also through elevated nonfasting glucose levels; however, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated C-reactive protein levels were not mediators in genetic analyses. The 3 intermediate variables that explained the highest excess risk of IHD from genetically determined obesity were low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with 8%, systolic blood pressure with 7%, and remnant cholesterol with 7% excess risk of IHD. Corresponding observational excess risks using conventional body mass index were 21%, 11%, and 20%, respectively. The increased IHD risk because of obesity was partly mediated through elevated levels of nonfasting remnant and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and through elevated blood pressure. Our results suggest that there may be benefit to gain by reducing levels of these risk factors in obese individuals not able to achieve sustained weight loss. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

The measurement of 129I for the cement and the paraffin solidified low and intermediate level wastes (LILWs), spent resin or evaporated bottom from the pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants.

PubMed

Park, S D; Kim, J S; Han, S H; Ha, Y K; Song, K S; Jee, K Y

2009-09-01

In this paper a relatively simple and low cost analysis procedure to apply to a routine analysis of (129)I in low and intermediate level radioactive wastes (LILWs), cement and paraffin solidified evaporated bottom and spent resin, which are produced from nuclear power plants (NPPs), pressurized water reactors (PWR), is presented. The (129)I is separated from other nuclides in LILWs using an anion exchange adsorption and solvent extraction by controlling the oxidation and reduction state and is then precipitated as silver iodide for counting the beta activity with a low background gas proportional counter (GPC). The counting efficiency of GPC was varied from 4% to 8% and it was reversely proportional to the weight of AgI by a self absorption of the beta activity. Compared to a higher pH, the chemical recovery of iodide as AgI was lowered at pH 4. It was found that the chemical recovery of iodide for the cement powder showed a lower trend by increasing the cement powder weight, but it was not affected for the paraffin sample. In this experiment, the overall chemical recovery yield of the cement and paraffin solidified LILW samples and the average weight of them were 67+/-3% and 5.43+/-0.53 g, 70+/-7% and 10.40+/-1.60 g, respectively. And the minimum detectable activity (MDA) of (129)I for the cement and paraffin solidified LILW samples was calculated as 0.070 and 0.036 Bq/g, respectively. Among the analyzed cement solidified LILW samples, (129)I activity concentration of four samples was slightly higher than the MDA and their ranges were 0.076-0.114 Bq/g. Also of the analyzed paraffin solidified LILW samples, five samples contained a little higher (129)I activity concentration than the MDA and their ranges were 0.036-0.107 Bq/g.

Microdiamonds from the European Variscan Orogenic Belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotkova, J.; Jakubova, P.; Whitehouse, M.; Fedortchouk, Y.

2014-12-01

Diamond, along with coesite, has been discovered recently in the continental crustal rocks of the European Variscan orogenic belt, namely the Bohemian Massif (BM). In addition to the garnet-phengite gneiss in Germany, western BM, microdiamond occurs in major rock forming minerals - garnet, kyanite - and in zircon in ultrahigh-pressure rocks overprinted under high-pressure granulite facies conditions (c. 16-20 kbar, c. 1000°C) in the northern and eastern BM. Well-preserved 10-30 μm-sized microdiamonds from northern BM exhibit diverse morphologies (SEM data) depending upon the host rock type. Octahedral diamond occurs in felsic garnet-kyanite-feldspar-quartz rock (metasediment), whereas intermediate garnet-clinopyroxene-feldspar-quartz rock contains a cubo-octahedral variety. Diamond morphology can be thus controlled by solid impurities available in the medium of crystallization (K- vs. Ca-bearing fluids or melts), as shown by experiments. Pointed-bottom negatively oriented trigonal etch pits on the octahedral diamond faces developed due to diamond resorption at CO2-dominated environment (less than 50 wt % of H2O, experimental data), possibly by action of a residual fluid. SIMS determined δ13C values range from -22 to -21 ‰ for the felsic rock and from - 26 to - 33 for the intermediate one, corresponding to the typical range of organic carbon δ13C and inconsistent with a significant mantle carbon (δ13C ~ - 5 ‰) input. Diamond-bearing domains in zircon, also analysed by SIMS, yielded a Variscan U-Pb age of c. 340 Ma. The present stage of knowledge allows us to conclude that (i) metamorphic diamonds in the BM occur in lithologies of metasedimentary character, and their carbon source was organic; (ii) crustal-derived CO2-rich fluids with impurities played an important role in diamond formation and dissolution; (iii) diamonds formed during the Variscan orogenic cycle and (iv) diamonds are best preserved in the external domain of the Variscan orogenic belt.

Transcatheter closure of large patent ductus arteriosus with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension: Short and intermediate term results.

PubMed

Bhalgat, Parag S; Pinto, Robin; Dalvi, Bharat V

2012-07-01

To assess the efficacy and safety of transcatheter closure (TCC) of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PHT). TCC of small and moderate-sized PDAs is well established. However, there is a paucity of data on TCC of large PDA with severe PHT. This is a retrospective observational study of 76 patients with large PDA and severe PHT who were referred for TCC. Multiple clinical and investigational parameters were evaluated to decide the reversibility of PHT. Following the TCC, patients were serially followed up to assess the efficacy and safety of closure and its impact on PHT. Of 76 patients, nine were found to have PDA with Eisenmenger's syndrome. Of remaining 67, two were thought to have irreversible PHT based on hemodynamic data obtained after balloon occlusion of the duct. Sixty five patients, who eventually underwent TCC of PDA, had a median age of 9.1 years (range 1 month to 40 years). The weight ranged between 2.5 to 62 kg (median 14 kg). The PDA size was 9.1 ± 4.6 mm. The mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure was 66.9 ± 15.3 mm Hg. Duct occluder was used in 63 and muscular ventricular septal defect closure device in 2. The follow up was available in 56 (86%) with a mean follow up period of 65 ± 34 months. All the patients had complete closure of the PDA at 6 months follow up. Mild obstruction of left pulmonary artery (n=3) and aortic isthmus flow (n=6) was noted at the time of discharge. During the follow up, partial or complete resolution of PHT was observed in all the patients in whom Doppler-derived right ventricular systolic pressure was recorded (available in 40 of 56 patients). TCC of large PDA with severe PHT and significant left to right shunt was found to be effective and safe in the short and intermediate term.

Operation tools with dielectric elastomer pressure sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böse, Holger; Müller, Dominik; Ehrlich, Johannes

2017-04-01

New sensors based on dielectric elastomers have recently been shown to exhibit high sensitivity for compression loads. The basic design of these sensors exhibits two profiled surfaces coated with electrode layers between which an elastomer film with the counter-electrode is confined. All components of the sensor are prepared with silicone whose stiffness can be varied in a wide range. Depending on the details of the sensor design, various effects contribute to the enhancement of the capacitance. The intermediate elastomer film is stretched upon compression, the elastomer profiles are deformed and the electrode layers on the elastomer profiles and in the elastomer film approach each other. Beside the detection of pressure, such sensors can also be used for operation tools in human-machine interfaces. To demonstrate this potential, a touch pad with six pressure-sensitive fields is presented. The corresponding sensors integrated in the touch fields detect the exerted forces of the finger, show them on a display and control the brightness of some LEDs. As a second example, the integration of sensor-based control fields on an automotive steering wheel is shown. Finally, the sensors can also be used in fabrics to control arbitrary functions of wearable electronic devices.

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

Shephard, Jacob J.; Vickers, Martin; Salzmann, Christoph G., E-mail: c.salzmann@ucl.ac.uk

Low-density amorphous (LDA) ice is involved in critical cosmological processes and has gained prominence as one of the at least two distinct amorphous forms of ice. Despite these accolades, we still have an incomplete understanding of the structural diversity that is encompassed within the LDA state and the dynamic processes that take place upon heating LDA. Heating the high-pressure ice VIII phase at ambient pressure is a remarkable example of temperature-induced amorphisation yielding LDA. We investigate this process in detail using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and show that the LDA obtained from ice VIII is structurally different from themore » more “traditional” states of LDA which are approached upon thermal annealing. This new structural relaxation pathway involves an increase of structural order on the intermediate range length scale. In contrast with other LDA materials the local structure is more ordered initially and becomes slightly more disordered upon annealing. We also show that the cascade of phase transitions upon heating ice VIII at ambient pressure includes the formation of ice IX which may be connected with the structural peculiarities of LDA from ice VIII. Overall, this study shows that LDA is a structurally more diverse material than previously appreciated.« less

Incompressible material point method for free surface flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Fan; Zhang, Xiong; Sze, Kam Yim; Lian, Yanping; Liu, Yan

2017-02-01

To overcome the shortcomings of the weakly compressible material point method (WCMPM) for modeling the free surface flow problems, an incompressible material point method (iMPM) is proposed based on operator splitting technique which splits the solution of momentum equation into two steps. An intermediate velocity field is first obtained by solving the momentum equations ignoring the pressure gradient term, and then the intermediate velocity field is corrected by the pressure term to obtain a divergence-free velocity field. A level set function which represents the signed distance to free surface is used to track the free surface and apply the pressure boundary conditions. Moreover, an hourglass damping is introduced to suppress the spurious velocity modes which are caused by the discretization of the cell center velocity divergence from the grid vertexes velocities when solving pressure Poisson equations. Numerical examples including dam break, oscillation of a cubic liquid drop and a droplet impact into deep pool show that the proposed incompressible material point method is much more accurate and efficient than the weakly compressible material point method in solving free surface flow problems.

Does increasing pressure always accelerate the condensed material decay initiated through bimolecular reactions? A case of the thermal decomposition of TKX-50 at high pressures.

PubMed

Lu, Zhipeng; Zeng, Qun; Xue, Xianggui; Zhang, Zengming; Nie, Fude; Zhang, Chaoyang

2017-08-30

Performances and behaviors under high temperature-high pressure conditions are fundamentals for many materials. We study in the present work the pressure effect on the thermal decomposition of a new energetic ionic salt (EIS), TKX-50, by confining samples in a diamond anvil cell, using Raman spectroscopy measurements and ab initio simulations. As a result, we find a quadratic increase in decomposition temperature (T d ) of TKX-50 with increasing pressure (P) (T d = 6.28P 2 + 12.94P + 493.33, T d and P in K and GPa, respectively, and R 2 = 0.995) and the decomposition under various pressures initiated by an intermolecular H-transfer reaction (a bimolecular reaction). Surprisingly, this finding is contrary to a general observation about the pressure effect on the decomposition of common energetic materials (EMs) composed of neutral molecules: increasing pressure will impede the decomposition if it starts from a bimolecular reaction. Our results also demonstrate that increasing pressure impedes the H-transfer via the enhanced long-range electrostatic repulsion of H +δ H +δ of neighboring NH 3 OH + , with blue shifts of the intermolecular H-bonds. And the subsequent decomposition of the H-transferred intermediates is also suppressed, because the decomposition proceeds from a bimolecular reaction to a unimolecular one, which is generally prevented by compression. These two factors are the basic root for which the decomposition retarded with increasing pressure of TKX-50. Therefore, our finding breaks through the previously proposed concept that, for the condensed materials, increasing pressure will accelerate the thermal decomposition initiated by bimolecular reactions, and reveals a distinct mechanism of the pressure effect on thermal decomposition. That is to say, increasing pressure does not always promote the condensed material decay initiated through bimolecular reactions. Moreover, such a mechanism may be feasible to other EISs due to the similar intermolecular interactions.

Prediction of contact mechanics in metal-on-metal Total Hip Replacement for parametrically comprehensive designs and loads.

PubMed

Donaldson, Finn E; Nyman, Edward; Coburn, James C

2015-07-16

Manufacturers and investigators of Total Hip Replacement (THR) bearings require tools to predict the contact mechanics resulting from diverse design and loading parameters. This study provides contact mechanics solutions for metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings that encompass the current design space and could aid pre-clinical design optimization and evaluation. Stochastic finite element (FE) simulation was used to calculate the head-on-cup contact mechanics for five thousand combinations of design and loading parameters. FE results were used to train a Random Forest (RF) surrogate model to rapidly predict the contact patch dimensions, contact area, pressures and plastic deformations for arbitrary designs and loading. In addition to widely observed polar and edge contact, FE results included ring-polar, asymmetric-polar, and transitional categories which have previously received limited attention. Combinations of design and load parameters associated with each contact category were identified. Polar contact pressures were predicted in the range of 0-200 MPa with no permanent deformation. Edge loading (with subluxation) was associated with pressures greater than 500 MPa and induced permanent deformation in 83% of cases. Transitional-edge contact (with little subluxation) was associated with intermediate pressures and permanent deformation in most cases, indicating that, even with ideal anatomical alignment, bearings may face extreme wear challenges. Surrogate models were able to accurately predict contact mechanics 18,000 times faster than FE analyses. The developed surrogate models enable rapid prediction of MoM bearing contact mechanics across the most comprehensive range of loading and designs to date, and may be useful to those performing bearing design optimization or evaluation. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Direct observation of surface ethyl to ethane interconversion upon C2H4 hydrogenation over Pt/Al2O3 catalyst by time-resolved FT-IR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Wasylenko, Walter; Frei, Heinz

2005-09-08

Time-resolved FT-IR spectra of ethylene hydrogenation over alumina-supported Pt catalyst were recorded at 25 ms resolution in the temperature range of 323-473 K using various H2 concentrations (1 atm total gas pressure). Surface ethyl species (2870 and 1200 cm(-1)) were detected at all temperatures along with the gas-phase ethane product (2954 and 2893 cm(-1)). The CH3CH2Pt growth was instantaneous on the time scale of 25 ms under all experimental conditions. At 323 K, the decay time of surface ethyl (122 +/- 10 ms) coincides with the rise time of ethane (144 +/- 14 ms). This establishes direct kinetic evidence for surface ethyl as the relevant reaction intermediate. Such a direct link between the temporal behavior of an unstable surface intermediate and the final product in a heterogeneous catalytic system has not been demonstrated before. A fraction (25%) of the asymptotic ethane growth at 323 K is prompt, indicating that there are surface ethyl species that react much faster than the majority of the CH3CH2Pt intermediates. The dispersive kinetics is attributed to the varying strength of interaction of the ethyl species with the Pt surface caused by heterogeneity of the surface environment. At 473 K, the majority of ethyl intermediates are hydrogenated prior to the recording of the first time slice (24 ms), and a correspondingly large prompt growth of ethane is observed. The yield and kinetics of the surface ethylidyne are in agreement with the known spectator nature of this species.

Control of reactor coolant flow path during reactor decay heat removal

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, Anstein N.

1988-01-01

An improved reactor vessel auxiliary cooling system for a sodium cooled nuclear reactor is disclosed. The sodium cooled nuclear reactor is of the type having a reactor vessel liner separating the reactor hot pool on the upstream side of an intermediate heat exchanger and the reactor cold pool on the downstream side of the intermediate heat exchanger. The improvement includes a flow path across the reactor vessel liner flow gap which dissipates core heat across the reactor vessel and containment vessel responsive to a casualty including the loss of normal heat removal paths and associated shutdown of the main coolant liquid sodium pumps. In normal operation, the reactor vessel cold pool is inlet to the suction side of coolant liquid sodium pumps, these pumps being of the electromagnetic variety. The pumps discharge through the core into the reactor hot pool and then through an intermediate heat exchanger where the heat generated in the reactor core is discharged. Upon outlet from the heat exchanger, the sodium is returned to the reactor cold pool. The improvement includes placing a jet pump across the reactor vessel liner flow gap, pumping a small flow of liquid sodium from the lower pressure cold pool into the hot pool. The jet pump has a small high pressure driving stream diverted from the high pressure side of the reactor pumps. During normal operation, the jet pumps supplement the normal reactor pressure differential from the lower pressure cold pool to the hot pool. Upon the occurrence of a casualty involving loss of coolant pump pressure, and immediate cooling circuit is established by the back flow of sodium through the jet pumps from the reactor vessel hot pool to the reactor vessel cold pool. The cooling circuit includes flow into the reactor vessel liner flow gap immediate the reactor vessel wall and containment vessel where optimum and immediate discharge of residual reactor heat occurs.

Cold Helium Gas Pressurization For Spacecraft Cryogenic Propulsion Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morehead, Robert L.; Atwell. Matthew J.; Hurlbert, Eric A.; Melcher, J. C.

2017-01-01

To reduce the dry mass of a spacecraft pressurization system, helium pressurant may be stored at low temperature and high pressure to increase mass in a given tank volume. Warming this gas through an engine heat exchanger prior to tank pressurization both increases the system efficiency and simplifies the designs of intermediate hardware such as regulators, valves, etc. since the gas is no longer cryogenic. If this type of cold helium pressurization system is used in conjunction with a cryogenic propellant, though, a loss in overall system efficiency can be expected due to heat transfer from the warm ullage gas to the cryogenic propellant which results in a specific volume loss for the pressurant, interpreted as the Collapse Factor. Future spacecraft with cryogenic propellants will likely have a cold helium system, with increasing collapse factor effects as vehicle sizes decrease. To determine the collapse factor effects and overall implementation strategies for a representative design point, a cold helium system was hotfire tested on the Integrated Cryogenic Propulsion Test Article (ICPTA) in a thermal vacuum environment at the NASA Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Station. The ICPTA vehicle is a small lander-sized spacecraft prototype built at NASA Johnson Space Center utilizing cryogenic liquid oxygen/liquid methane propellants and cryogenic helium gas as a pressurant to operate one 2,800lbf 5:1 throttling main engine, two 28lbf Reaction Control Engines (RCE), and two 7lbf RCEs (Figure 1). This vehicle was hotfire tested at a variety of environmental conditions at NASA Plum Brook, ranging from ambient temperature/simulated high altitude, deep thermal/high altitude, and deep thermal/high vacuum conditions. A detailed summary of the vehicle design and testing campaign may be found in Integrated Cryogenic Propulsion Test Article Thermal Vacuum Hotfire Testing, AIAA JPC 2017.

Combined effects of Sr substitution and pressure on the ground states in CaFe 2 As 2

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

Knoner, S.; Gati, E.; Kohler, S.

2016-10-21

Here, we present a detailed study of the combined effects of Sr substitution and hydrostatic pressure on the ground-state properties of CaFe 2As 2. Measurements of the electrical resistance and magnetic susceptibility, both at ambient and finite pressure P ≤ 2 GPa, were performed on Ca 1–xSr xFe 2As 2 single crystals grown out of Sn flux. We find that by Sr substitution the transition temperature to the magnetic/structural phase is enhanced and therefore a higher pressure is needed to suppress the transition to lowest temperature. In addition, the transition to the collapsed tetragonal phase is found at a pressure,more » which is distinctly higher than in the pure compound. This implies that the stability ranges of both phases shift on the pressure-axis upon doping, but the latter one with a higher rate. These observations suggest the possibility of separating the two phase lines, which intersect already at elevated temperatures for x = 0 and low Sr concentration levels. For x = 0.177, we find strong evidence that both phases remain separated down to the lowest temperature and that a zero-resistance state emerges in this intermediate pressure window. This observation indicates that Sr substitution combined with hydrostatic pressure provides another route for stabilizing superconductivity in CaFe 2As 2. Lastly, our results are consistent with the notion that (i) preserving the fluctuations associated with the structural-magnetic transition to low temperatures is vital for superconductivity to form in this material and that (ii) the nonmagnetic collapsed tetragonal phase is detrimental for superconductivity.« less

Bonding Transition in SiO2 Glass at High Pressures: Applications to SiO2 Liquid in Earth's Interior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoo, C.; Lin, J.; Fukui, H.; Prendergast, D.; Okuchi, T.; Cai, Y.; Hiraoka, N.; Trave, A.; Eng, P.; Hu, M. Y.; Chow, P.

2006-12-01

SiO2 and MgSiO3 liquids are two major components in the magma deep inside the Earth. Knowledge of their electronic bonding characters at high pressures is essential to understanding the complex properties of the materials in the melts. The nature of pressure-induced bonding change in amorphous SiO2 has been an intriguing and long-standing problem that remains to be further understood. For example, previous infrared and X-ray diffraction studies suggested that a continuous transformation from the four- to six-fold coordinated silicon occurred in amorphous SiO2 at high pressures, whereas separate optical Raman studies attributed to a pressure-induced shift in the local ring statistics and a breakdown in the intermediate-range order. Here we have studied the oxygen near K-edge spectra of SiO2 glass to 51 GPa obtained using X-ray Raman scattering in a diamond-anvil cell, which directly probes the electronic bonding character of the sample. Our results provide conclusive evidence for a pressure-induced electronic bonding transition in SiO2 glass at high pressures. Although a progressive decrease in the mean Si-O-Si angle in the SiO4 tetrahedra is believed to be responsible for the irreversible densification in SiO2 glass at high pressures, our observed transition is reversible upon decompression. A similar transformation is also expected to occur in silicate glasses and melts, which will most definitely alter their physical, mechanical and transport properties in the magma chamber deep in the Earth's interior. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by UC/LLNL under Contract W-7405-Eng-48.

Real-Time Processing of Pressure-Sensitive Paint Images

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

intermediate or final data to the hard disk in 3D grid format. In addition to the pressure or pressure coefficient at every grid point, the saved file may...occurs. Nevertheless, to achieve an accurate mapping between 2D image coordinates and 3D spatial coordinates, additional parameters must be introduced. A...improved mapping between the 2D and 3D coordinates. In a more sophisticated approach, additional terms corresponding to specific deformation modes

Cryogenic Insulation System for Soft Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Augustynowicz, S. D.; Fesmire, J. E.

1999-01-01

The development of a cryogenic insulation system for operation under soft vacuum is presented in this paper. Conventional insulation materials for cryogenic applications can be divided into three levels of thermal performance, in terms of apparent thermal conductivity [k-value in milliwatt per meter-kelvin (mW/m-K)]. System k-values below 0.1 can be achieved for multilayer insulation operating at a vacuum level below 1 x 10(exp -4) torr. For fiberglass or powder operating below 1 x 10(exp -3) torr, k-values of about 2 are obtained. For foam and other materials at ambient pressure, k-values around 30 are typical. New industry and aerospace applications require a versatile, robust, low-cost thermal insulation with performance in the intermediate range. The target for the new composite insulation system is a k-value below 4.8 mW/m-K (R-30) at a soft vacuum level (from 1 to 10 torr) and boundary temperatures of approximately 77 and 293 kelvin (K). Many combinations of radiation shields, spacers, and composite materials were tested from high vacuum to ambient pressure using cryostat boiloff methods. Significant improvement over conventional systems in the soft vacuum range was demonstrated. The new layered composite insulation system was also shown to provide key benefits for high vacuum applications as well.

Rotating diffuser for pressure recovery in a steam cooling circuit of a gas turbine

DOEpatents

Eldrid, Sacheverel Q.; Salamah, Samir A.; DeStefano, Thomas Daniel

2002-01-01

The buckets of a gas turbine are steam-cooled via a bore tube assembly having concentric supply and spent cooling steam return passages rotating with the rotor. A diffuser is provided in the return passage to reduce the pressure drop. In a combined cycle system, the spent return cooling steam with reduced pressure drop is combined with reheat steam from a heat recovery steam generator for flow to the intermediate pressure turbine. The exhaust steam from the high pressure turbine of the combined cycle unit supplies cooling steam to the supply conduit of the gas turbine.

Pressure-Induced Valence Crossover and Novel Metamagnetic Behavior near the Antiferromagnetic Quantum Phase Transition of YbNi3Ga9

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsubayashi, K.; Hirayama, T.; Yamashita, T.; Ohara, S.; Kawamura, N.; Mizumaki, M.; Ishimatsu, N.; Watanabe, S.; Kitagawa, K.; Uwatoko, Y.

2015-02-01

We report electrical resistivity, ac magnetic susceptibility, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of intermediate valence YbNi3Ga9 under pressure and magnetic field. We have revealed a characteristic pressure-induced Yb valence crossover within the temperature-pressure phase diagram, and a first-order metamagnetic transition is found below Pc˜9 GPa where the system undergoes a pressure-induced antiferromagnetic transition. As a possible origin of the metamagnetic behavior, a critical valence fluctuation emerging near the critical point of the first-order valence transition is discussed on the basis of the temperature-field-pressure phase diagram.

Radiation sensitivity and EPR dosimetric potential of gallic acid and its esters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuner, Hasan; Oktay Bal, M.; Polat, Mustafa

2015-02-01

In the preset work the radiation sensitivities of Gallic Acid anhydrous and monohydrate, Octyl, Lauryl, and Ethyl Gallate (GA, GAm, OG, LG, and EG) were investigated in the intermediate (0.5-20 kGy) and low radiation (<10 Gy) dose range using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. While OG, LG, and EG are presented a singlet EPR spectra, their radiation sensitivity found to be very different in the intermediate dose range. At low radiation dose range (<10 Gy) only LG is found to be present a signal that easily distinguished from the noise signals. The intermediate and low dose range radiation sensitivities are compared using well known EPR dosimeter alanine. The radiation yields (G) of the interested material were found to be 1.34×10-2, 1.48×10-2, 4.14×10-2, and 6.03×10-2, 9.44×10-2 for EG, GA, GAm, OG, and LG, respectively at the intermediate dose range. It is found that the simple EPR spectra and the noticeable EPR signal of LG make it a promising dosimetric material to be used below 10 Gy of radiation dose.

Experimental Studies on Dehydration Embrittlement of Serpentinized Peridotite and Effect of Pressure on Creep of Olivine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Gang

The origin of intermediate depth earthquakes has been debated for 90 years yet is still under active discussion. These earthquakes are localized in double seismic zones in descending lithosphere; both zones originate very close to oceanic trenches. A leading proposed initiation mechanism for these earthquakes since 1968 has been dehydration embrittlement of serpentine under stress. Despite the considerable evidence favoring this mechanism, a major argument against it has been that the lower seismic zone initiates at ˜40 km depth almost immediately below trenches and there does not appear to be a vehicle to carry water sufficiently deep to hydrate otherwise dry lithosphere. To directly address this problem, an experimental study has been carried out to investigate the minimum amount of serpentine that is required to trigger the dehydration embrittlement instability in serpentinized peridotite at high pressure (1-3 GPa) and temperature (720-750˚C). The results show that embrittlement occurs during dehydration of antigorite (the phase of serpentine stable at elevated pressure) in a wide range of compositions but both nearly dry peridotite and extensively altered peridotite are ductile. Fresh, unaltered, synthetic harzburgite and harzburgite with 4 vol% distributed antigorite are ductile, as are specimens with greater than 65% antigorite. Only compositions between 8 vol% and 65 vol% antigorite develop the instability. We suggest that very small degrees of serpentinization do not release sufficient H 2O to trigger the instability and that extensive serpentinization avoids the instability because soft, ductile, antigorite becomes the interconnected matrix with olivine and pyroxene existing only as isolated crystals. In that case, dehydration simply facilitates flow. These systematics suggest that small amounts of H2O transported down deep normal (bending) faults at trenches are sufficient to enable the instability in the lower seismic zones, thus providing additional support for dehydration embrittlement as the mechanism of intermediate-depth earthquakes. At the other end of the spectrum of serpentinization, these results are consistent with previous suggestions that extensive dehydration of altered subducting crust and mantle release copious amounts of H2O that rise to the surface of the descending slab and react with the cool mantle of the overlying plate to lead to extensive serpentinization, thereby explaining serpentine diapers in the forearc and lack of seismicity along the plate interface deeper than about 35 km. Another long-lived controversy in mantle geophysics involves the pressure dependence of creep in olivine, the most abundant and softest phase in unaltered mantle rocks. The pressure dependence of any thermodynamically-controlled phenomenon is commonly expressed as the activation volume, DeltaV*. Previous experimental investigations on the effect of pressure on creep in olivine have produced bimodal results. DeltaV* obtained from solid-medium (Griggs) and gas-medium (Paterson) deformation apparatus at relatively lower pressures is ˜15 cm3/mol or higher. In contrast, higher-pressure studies using multianvil apparatus at sites of synchrotron X-radiation (D-DIA apparatus) report a DeltaV* near zero. To decipher this enigma and to provide a much-needed calibration of stress in the D-DIA apparatus, I have conducted systematic experiments on a synthetic, iron-free, forsterite at 1200 ˚C and pressure between 1 and 2.5 GPa using the UCR 5 GPa modified Griggs apparatus, the only apparatus capable of performing these experiments. Our results show a robust DeltaV* value of 12 +/- 2 cm3/mol, indicating a fairly significant pressure dependence of creep in olivine to pressures of ˜3 GPa (approximately 100 km). In collaboration with other experimentalists, we plan to measure the DeltaV* for creep of this material over a pressure range of 2-8 GPa in the D-DIA apparatus to both calibrate stress measurement in the D-DIA and resolve the question of change in DeltaV* at higher pressures.

Dynamic genetic linkage of intermediate blood pressure phenotypes during postural adaptations in a founder population

PubMed Central

Arenas, I. A.; Tremblay, J.; Deslauriers, B.; Sandoval, J.; Šeda, O.; Gaudet, D.; Merlo, E.; Kotchen, T.; Cowley, A. W.

2013-01-01

Blood pressure (BP) is a dynamic phenotype that varies rapidly to adjust to changing environmental conditions. Standing upright is a recent evolutionary trait, and genetic factors that influence postural adaptations may contribute to BP variability. We studied the effect of posture on the genetics of BP and intermediate BP phenotypes. We included 384 sib-pairs in 64 sib-ships from families ascertained by early-onset hypertension and dyslipidemia. Blood pressure, three hemodynamic and seven neuroendocrine intermediate BP phenotypes were measured with subjects lying supine and standing upright. The effect of posture on estimates of heritability and genetic covariance was investigated in full pedigrees. Linkage was conducted on 196 candidate genes by sib-pair analyses, and empirical estimates of significance were obtained. A permutation algorithm was implemented to study the postural effect on linkage. ADRA1A, APO, CAST, CORIN, CRHR1, EDNRB, FGF2, GC, GJA1, KCNB2, MMP3, NPY, NR3C2, PLN, TGFBR2, TNFRSF6, and TRHR showed evidence of linkage with any phenotype in the supine position and not upon standing, whereas AKR1B1, CD36, EDNRA, F5, MMP9, PKD2, PON1, PPARG, PPARGC1A, PRKCA, and RET were specifically linked to standing phenotypes. Genetic profiling was undertaken to show genetic interactions among intermediate BP phenotypes and genes specific to each posture. When investigators perform genetic studies exclusively on a single posture, important genetic components of BP are missed. Supine and standing BPs have distinct genetic signatures. Standardized maneuvers influence the results of genetic investigations into BP, thus reflecting its dynamic regulation. PMID:23269701

75 FR 16655 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 700 Series Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-02

... pressure (HP-IP) turbine internal and external oil vent tubes for coking and carbon buildup, and cleaning... borescope inspections of the HP-IP turbine internal and external oil vent tubes for coking and carbon...-intermediate pressure (HP-IP) turbine internal oil vent tubes, external oil vent tubes, and bearing chamber...

Modulated structure and molecular dissociation of solid chlorine at high pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Peifang; Gao, Guoying; Ma, Yanming

2012-08-01

Among diatomic molecular halogen solids, high pressure structures of solid chlorine (Cl2) remain elusive and least studied. We here report first-principles structural search on solid Cl2 at high pressures through our developed particle-swarm optimization algorithm. We successfully reproduced the known molecular Cmca phase (phase I) at low pressure and found that it remains stable up to a high pressure 142 GPa. At 150 GPa, our structural searches identified several energetically competitive, structurally similar, and modulated structures. Analysis of the structural results and their similarity with those in solid Br2 and I2, it was suggested that solid Cl2 adopts an incommensurate modulated structure with a modulation wave close to 2/7 in a narrow pressure range 142-157 GPa. Eventually, our simulations at >157 GPa were able to predict the molecular dissociation of solid Cl2 into monatomic phases having body centered orthorhombic (bco) and face-centered cubic (fcc) structures, respectively. One unique monatomic structural feature of solid Cl2 is the absence of intermediate body centered tetragonal (bct) structure during the bco → fcc transition, which however has been observed or theoretically predicted in solid Br2 and I2. Electron-phonon coupling calculations revealed that solid Cl2 becomes superconductors within bco and fcc phases possessing a highest superconducting temperature of 13.03 K at 380 GPa. We further probed the molecular Cmca → incommensurate phase transition mechanism and found that the softening of the Ag vibrational (rotational) Raman mode in the Cmca phase might be the driving force to initiate the transition.

Dynamic Brazilian Test of Rock Under Intermediate Strain Rate: Pendulum Hammer-Driven SHPB Test and Numerical Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, W. C.; Niu, L. L.; Li, S. H.; Xu, Z. H.

2015-09-01

The tensile strength of rock subjected to dynamic loading constitutes many engineering applications such as rock drilling and blasting. The dynamic Brazilian test of rock specimens was conducted with the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) driven by pendulum hammer, in order to determine the indirect tensile strength of rock under an intermediate strain rate ranging from 5.2 to 12.9 s-1, which is achieved when the incident bar is impacted by pendulum hammer with different velocities. The incident wave excited by pendulum hammer is triangular in shape, featuring a long rising time, and it is considered to be helpful for achieving a constant strain rate in the rock specimen. The dynamic indirect tensile strength of rock increases with strain rate. Then, the numerical simulator RFPA-Dynamics, a well-recognized software for simulating the rock failure under dynamic loading, is validated by reproducing the Brazilian test of rock when the incident stress wave retrieved at the incident bar is input as the boundary condition, and then it is employed to study the Brazilian test of rock under the higher strain rate. Based on the numerical simulation, the strain-rate dependency of tensile strength and failure pattern of the Brazilian disc specimen under the intermediate strain rate are numerically simulated, and the associated failure mechanism is clarified. It is deemed that the material heterogeneity should be a reason for the strain-rate dependency of rock.

Exploring the Phase Diagram SiO2-CO2 at High Pressures and Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavner, A.

2015-12-01

CO2 is an important volatile system relevant for planetary sciences and fundamental chemistry. Molecular CO2 has doubly bonded O=C=O units but high pressure-high temperature (HP-HT) studies have recently shown its transformation into a three-dimensional network of corner-linked [CO4] units analogous to the silica mineral polymorphs, through intermediate non-molecular phases. Here, we report P-V-T data on CO2-IV ice from time-of-flight neutron diffraction experiments, which allow determining the compressibility and thermal expansivity of this intermediate molecular-to-non-molecular phase.1 Aditionally, we have explored the SiO2-CO2 phase diagram and the potential formation of silicon carbonate compounds. New data obtained by laser-heating diamond-anvil experiments in CO2-filled microporous silica polymorphs will be shown. In particular, these HP-HT experiments explore the existence of potential CO2/SiO2 compounds with tetrahedrally-coordinated C/Si atoms by oxygens, which are predicted to be stable (or metastable) by state-of-the-art ab initio simulations.2,3 These theoretical predictions were supported by a recent study that reports the formation of a cristobalite-type Si0.4C0.6O2 solid solution at high-pressures and temperatures, which can be retained as a metastable solid down to ambient conditions.4 Entirely new families of structures could exist based on [CO4]4- units in various degrees of polymerisation, giving rise to a range of chain, sheet and framework solids like those found in silicate chemistry. References[1] S. Palaich et al., Am. Mineral. Submitted (2015) [2] A. Morales-Garcia et al., Theor. Chem. Acc. 132, 1308 (2013) [3] R. Zhou et al., Phys. Rev. X, 4, 011030 (2014) [4] M. Santoro et al. Nature Commun. 5, 3761 (2014)

Bonding of Resin Cement to Zirconia with High Pressure Primer Coating

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying-jie; Jiao, Kai; Liu, Yan; Zhou, Wei; Shen, Li-juan; Fang, Ming; Li, Meng; Zhang, Xiang; Tay, Franklin R.; Chen, Ji-hua

2014-01-01

Objectives To investigate the effect of air-drying pressure during ceramic primer coating on zirconia/resin bonding and the surface characteristics of the primed zirconia. Methods Two ceramic primers (Clearfil Ceramic Primer, CCP, Kuraray Medical Inc. and Z-Prime Plus, ZPP, Bisco Inc.) were applied on the surface of air-abraded zirconia (Katana zirconia, Noritake) and dried at 4 different air pressures (0.1–0.4 MPa). The primed zirconia ceramic specimens were bonded with a resin-based luting agent (SA Luting Cement, Kuraray). Micro-shear bond strengths of the bonded specimens were tested after 3 days of water storage or 5,000× thermocycling (n = 12). Failure modes of the fractured specimens were examined with scanning electron miscopy. The effects of air pressure on the thickness of the primer layers and the surface roughness (Sa) of primed zirconia were evaluated using spectroscopic ellipsometry (n = 6), optical profilometry and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) (n = 6), respectively. Results Clearfil Ceramic Primer air-dried at 0.3 and 0.4 MPa, yielding significantly higher µSBS than gentle air-drying subgroups (p<0.05). Compared to vigorous drying conditions, Z-Prime Plus air-dried at 0.2 MPa exhibited significantly higher µSBS (p<0.05). Increasing air-drying pressure reduced the film thickness for both primers. Profilometry measurements and ESEM showed rougher surfaces in the high pressure subgroups of CCP and intermediate pressure subgroup of ZPP. Conclusion Air-drying pressure influences resin/zirconia bond strength and durability significantly. Higher air-drying pressure (0.3-0.4 MPa) for CCP and intermediate pressure (0.2 MPa) for ZPP are recommended to produce strong, durable bonds between resin cement and zirconia ceramics. PMID:24992678

Synthesis and magnetic properties of the high-pressure scheelite-type GdCrO{sub 4} polymorph

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

Dos santos-Garcia, A.J., E-mail: adossant@quim.ucm.es; Climent-Pascual, E.; Gallardo-Amores, J.M.

The scheelite-type polymorph of GdCrO{sub 4} has been obtained from the corresponding zircon-type compound under high pressure and temperature conditions, namely 4 GPa and 803 K. The crystal structure has been determined by X-ray powder diffraction. This GdCrO{sub 4} scheelite crystallizes in a tetragonal symmetry with space group I4{sub 1}/a (No. 88, Z=4), a=5.0501(1) A, c=11.4533(2) A and V=292.099(7) A{sup 3}. The thermal decomposition leads to the formation of the zircon-polymorph as intermediate phase at 773 K to end in the corresponding GdCrO{sub 3} distorted perovskite-structure at higher temperatures. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements suggest the existence of long-range antiferromagneticmore » interactions which have been also confirmed from specific heat measurements. Neutron powder diffraction data reveal the simultaneous antiferromagnetic Gd{sup 3+} and Cr{sup 5+} ordering in the scheelite-type GdCrO{sub 4} with a T{sub N}{approx}20 K. The magnetic propagation vector was found to be k=(0 0 0). Combined with group theory analysis, the best neutron powder diffraction fit was obtained with a collinear antiferromagnetic coupling in which the m{sub Cr{sup 5}{sup +}} and m{sub Gd{sup 3}{sup +}} magnetic moments are confined in the tetragonal basal plane according to the mixed representation {Gamma}{sub 6} Circled-Plus {Gamma}{sub 8}. Thermal decomposition of the GdCrO{sub 4} high pressure polymorph, from the scheelite-type through the zircon-type structure as intermediate to end in the GdCrO{sub 3} perovskite. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New high pressure GdCrO{sub 4} polymorph crystallizing in the scheelite type structure. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It is an antiferromagnet with a metamagnetic transition at low magnetic fields. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We have determined its magnetic structure from powder neutron diffraction data. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Otherwise, the room pressure zircon-polymorph is a ferromagnet. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The paper will be a great contribution in the study of 3d-4f magnetic interactions.« less

Reynolds Number Effects on the Performance of Lateral Control Devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mineck, Raymond E.

2000-01-01

The influence of Reynolds number on the performance of outboard spoilers and ailerons was investigated on a generic subsonic transport configuration in the National Transonic Facility over a chord Reynolds number range 41 from 3x10(exp 6) to 30xl0(exp 6) and a Mach number range from 0.50 to 0.94, Spoiler deflection angles of 0, 10, 15, and 20 deg and aileron deflection angles of -10, 0, and 10 deg were tested. Aeroelastic effects were minimized by testing at constant normalized dynamic pressure conditions over intermediate Reynolds number ranges. Results indicated that the increment in rolling moment due to spoiler deflection generally becomes more negative as the Reynolds number increases from 3x10(exp 6) to 22x10(exp 6) with only small changes between Reynolds numbers of 22x10(exp 6) and 30x10(exp 6). The change in the increment in rolling moment coefficient with Reynolds number for the aileron deflected configuration is generally small with a general trend of increasing magnitude with increasing Reynolds number.

Volatile response of four apple varieties with different coatings during marketing at room temperature.

PubMed

Bai, Jinhe; Hagenmaier, Robert D; Baldwin, Elizabeth A

2002-12-18

Five experimental coatings with different resistance to gas exchange were used with freshly harvested and 20-week commercially stored apples of Delicious, Fuji, Braeburn, and Granny Smith varieties. The coated or noncoated apples were held at 20 degrees C for up to 4 weeks. The gas partial pressures inside the fruits with the various coatings ranged from 1 to 25 kPa CO(2) and from 20 to 1 kPa O(2). Volatile evaporation rates were measured, as also were the volatiles compositions in the fruit. The coatings with intermediate gas resistance (carnauba-shellac mixture and candelilla) gave intermediate values of CO(2) and O(2) in the internal atmosphere in Delicious, Fuji, and Braeburn apples and the highest concentrations of butyl acetate and 2-methylbutyl acetate in the fruits. The coatings with the highest gas resistance (shellac and shellac-protein) caused high internal CO(2) and low O(2), resulting in anaerobic fermentation in Braeburn and Granny Smith apples and relatively high amounts of low-molecular-weight ethyl esters trapped within the fruit. A small portion of the alcohols were evaporated from fruits compared to esters, this attributed to their high Henry's law coefficients.

In situ studies of surface of NiFe 2O 4 catalyst during complete oxidation of methane

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

Zhang, Shiran; Shan, Junjun; Nie, Longhui

2015-12-21

Here, NiFe 2O 4 with an inverse spinel structure exhibits high activity for a complete oxidation of methane at 400 °C–425 °C and a higher temperature. The surface of the catalyst and its adsorbates were well characterized with ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) and in situ infrared spectroscopy (IR). In situ studies of the surface of NiFe 2O 4 using AP-XPS suggest the formation of methoxy-like and formate-like intermediates at a temperature lower than 200 °C, supported by the observed vibrational signatures in in situ IR studies. Evolutions of C1s photoemission features and the nominal atomic ratios of C/(Nimore » + Fe) of the catalyst surface suggest that the formate-like intermediate is transformed to product molecules CO 2 and H 2O in the temperature range of 250–300 °C. In situ studies suggest the formation of a spectator, – O lattice – CH 2 – O lattice –. It strongly bonds to surface through C–O bonds and cannot be activated even at 400 °C.« less

Resistance of Feather-Associated Bacteria to Intermediate Levels of Ionizing Radiation near Chernobyl

PubMed Central

Ruiz-González, Mario Xavier; Czirják, Gábor Árpád; Genevaux, Pierre; Møller, Anders Pape; Mousseau, Timothy Alexander; Heeb, Philipp

2016-01-01

Ionizing radiation has been shown to produce negative effects on organisms, although little is known about its ecological and evolutionary effects. As a study model, we isolated bacteria associated with feathers from barn swallows Hirundo rustica from three study areas around Chernobyl differing in background ionizing radiation levels and one control study site in Denmark. Each bacterial community was exposed to four different γ radiation doses ranging from 0.46 to 3.96 kGy to test whether chronic exposure to radiation had selected for resistant bacterial strains. Experimental radiation duration had an increasingly overall negative effect on the survival of all bacterial communities. After exposure to γ radiation, bacteria isolated from the site with intermediate background radiation levels survived better and produced more colonies than the bacterial communities from other study sites with higher or lower background radiation levels. Long-term effects of radiation in natural populations might be an important selective pressure on traits of bacteria that facilitate survival in certain environments. Our findings indicate the importance of further studies to understand the proximate mechanisms acting to buffer the negative effects of ionizing radiation in natural populations. PMID:26976674

Interface structure and composition of MoO3/GaAs(0 0 1)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Anirban; Ashraf, Tanveer; Grafeneder, Wolfgang; Koch, Reinhold

2018-04-01

We studied growth, structure, stress, oxidation state as well as surface and interface structure and composition of thermally-evaporated thin MoO3 films on the technologically important III/V-semiconductor substrate GaAs(0 0 1). The MoO3 films grow with Mo in the 6+  oxidation state. The electrical resistance is tunable by the oxygen partial pressure during deposition from transparent insulating to semi-transparant halfmetallic. In the investigated growth temperature range (room temperature to 200 °C) no diffraction spots are detected by x-ray diffraction. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals the formation of MoO3 nanocrystal grains with diameters of 5–8 nm. At the interface a  ≈3 nm-thick intermediate layer has formed, where the single-crystal lattice of GaAs gradually transforms to the nanocrystalline MoO3 structure. This interpretation is corroborated by our in situ and real-time stress measurements evidencing a two-stage growth process as well as by elemental interface analysis revealing coexistance of Ga, As, Mo, and oxygen in a intermediate layer of 3–4 nm.

Resistance of Feather-Associated Bacteria to Intermediate Levels of Ionizing Radiation near Chernobyl.

PubMed

Ruiz-González, Mario Xavier; Czirják, Gábor Árpád; Genevaux, Pierre; Møller, Anders Pape; Mousseau, Timothy Alexander; Heeb, Philipp

2016-03-15

Ionizing radiation has been shown to produce negative effects on organisms, although little is known about its ecological and evolutionary effects. As a study model, we isolated bacteria associated with feathers from barn swallows Hirundo rustica from three study areas around Chernobyl differing in background ionizing radiation levels and one control study site in Denmark. Each bacterial community was exposed to four different γ radiation doses ranging from 0.46 to 3.96 kGy to test whether chronic exposure to radiation had selected for resistant bacterial strains. Experimental radiation duration had an increasingly overall negative effect on the survival of all bacterial communities. After exposure to γ radiation, bacteria isolated from the site with intermediate background radiation levels survived better and produced more colonies than the bacterial communities from other study sites with higher or lower background radiation levels. Long-term effects of radiation in natural populations might be an important selective pressure on traits of bacteria that facilitate survival in certain environments. Our findings indicate the importance of further studies to understand the proximate mechanisms acting to buffer the negative effects of ionizing radiation in natural populations.

Shock tube and chemical kinetic modeling study of the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylfuran.

PubMed

Sirjean, Baptiste; Fournet, René; Glaude, Pierre-Alexandre; Battin-Leclerc, Frédérique; Wang, Weijing; Oehlschlaeger, Matthew A

2013-02-21

A detailed kinetic model describing the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), a potential second-generation biofuel, is proposed. The kinetic model is based upon quantum chemical calculations for the initial DMF consumption reactions and important reactions of intermediates. The model is validated by comparison to new DMF shock tube ignition delay time measurements (over the temperature range 1300-1831 K and at nominal pressures of 1 and 4 bar) and the DMF pyrolysis speciation measurements of Lifshitz et al. [ J. Phys. Chem. A 1998 , 102 ( 52 ), 10655 - 10670 ]. Globally, modeling predictions are in good agreement with the considered experimental targets. In particular, ignition delay times are predicted well by the new model, with model-experiment deviations of at most a factor of 2, and DMF pyrolysis conversion is predicted well, to within experimental scatter of the Lifshitz et al. data. Additionally, comparisons of measured and model predicted pyrolysis speciation provides validation of theoretically calculated channels for the oxidation of DMF. Sensitivity and reaction flux analyses highlight important reactions as well as the primary reaction pathways responsible for the decomposition of DMF and formation and destruction of key intermediate and product species.

Aerobic Oxidation of Xylose to Xylaric acid in Water over Pt Catalysts.

PubMed

Saha, Basudeb; Sadula, Sunitha

2018-05-02

Energy-efficient catalytic conversion of biomass intermediates to functional chemicals can enable bio-products viable. Herein, we report an efficient and low temperature aerobic oxidation of xylose to xylaric acid, a promising bio-based chemical for the production of glutaric acid, over commercial catalysts in water. Among several heterogeneous catalysts investigated, Pt/C exhibits the best activity. Systematic variation of reaction parameters in the pH range of 2.5 to 10 suggests that the reaction is fast at higher temperatures but high C-C scission of intermediate C5-oxidized products to low carbon carboxylic acids undermines xylaric acid selectivity. The C-C cleavage is also high in basic solution. The oxidation at neutral pH and 60 C achieves the highest xylaric acid yield (64%). O2 pressure and Pt-amount have significant influence on the reactivity. Decarboxylation of short chain carboxylic acids results in formation of CO2, causing some carbon loss; however such decarboxylation is slow in the presence of xylose. The catalyst retained comparable activity, in terms of product selectivity, after five cycles with no sign of Pt leaching. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A new phase transformation path from nanodiamond to new-diamond via an intermediate carbon onion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, J.; Li, J. L.; Liu, P.; Yang, G. W.

2014-11-01

The investigation of carbon allotropes such as graphite, diamond, fullerenes, nanotubes and carbon onions and mechanisms that underlie their mutual phase transformation is a long-standing problem of great fundamental importance. New diamond (n-diamond) is a novel metastable phase of carbon with a face-centered cubic structure; it is called ``new diamond'' because many reflections in its electron diffraction pattern are similar to those of diamond. However, producing n-diamond from raw carbon materials has so far been challenging due to n-diamond's higher formation energy than that of diamond. Here, we, for the first time, demonstrate a new phase transformation path from nanodiamond to n-diamond via an intermediate carbon onion in the unique process of laser ablation in water, and establish that water plays a crucial role in the formation of n-diamond. When a laser irradiates colloidal suspensions of nanodiamonds at ambient pressure and room temperature, nanodiamonds are first transformed into carbon onions serving as an intermediate phase, and sequentially carbon onions are transformed into n-diamonds driven by the laser-induced high temperature and high pressure from the carbon onion as a nanoscaled temperature and pressure cell upon the process of laser irradiation in a liquid. This phase transformation not only provides new insight into the physical mechanism involved, but also offers one suitable opportunity for breaking controllable pathways between n-diamond and carbon allotropes such as diamond and carbon onions.The investigation of carbon allotropes such as graphite, diamond, fullerenes, nanotubes and carbon onions and mechanisms that underlie their mutual phase transformation is a long-standing problem of great fundamental importance. New diamond (n-diamond) is a novel metastable phase of carbon with a face-centered cubic structure; it is called ``new diamond'' because many reflections in its electron diffraction pattern are similar to those of diamond. However, producing n-diamond from raw carbon materials has so far been challenging due to n-diamond's higher formation energy than that of diamond. Here, we, for the first time, demonstrate a new phase transformation path from nanodiamond to n-diamond via an intermediate carbon onion in the unique process of laser ablation in water, and establish that water plays a crucial role in the formation of n-diamond. When a laser irradiates colloidal suspensions of nanodiamonds at ambient pressure and room temperature, nanodiamonds are first transformed into carbon onions serving as an intermediate phase, and sequentially carbon onions are transformed into n-diamonds driven by the laser-induced high temperature and high pressure from the carbon onion as a nanoscaled temperature and pressure cell upon the process of laser irradiation in a liquid. This phase transformation not only provides new insight into the physical mechanism involved, but also offers one suitable opportunity for breaking controllable pathways between n-diamond and carbon allotropes such as diamond and carbon onions. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr05246c

Intermediate Temperature Water Heat Pipe Tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devarakonda, Angirasa; Xiong, Da-Xi; Beach, Duane E.

2005-01-01

Heat pipes are among the most promising technologies for space radiator systems. Water heat pipes are explored in the intermediate temperature range of 400 to above 500 K. The thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties of water are reviewed in this temperature range. Test data are reported for a copper-water heat pipe. The heat pipe was tested under different orientations. Water heat pipes show promise in this temperature range. Fabrication and testing issues are being addressed.

Analysis of the kinetics and yields of OH radical production from the CH3OCH2 + O2 reaction in the temperature range 195-650 K: an experimental and computational study.

PubMed

Eskola, A J; Carr, S A; Shannon, R J; Wang, B; Blitz, M A; Pilling, M J; Seakins, P W; Robertson, S H

2014-08-28

The methoxymethyl radical, CH3OCH2, is an important intermediate in the low temperature combustion of dimethyl ether. The kinetics and yields of OH from the reaction of the methoxymethyl radical with O2 have been measured over the temperature and pressure ranges of 195-650 K and 5-500 Torr by detecting the hydroxyl radical using laser-induced fluorescence following the excimer laser photolysis (248 nm) of CH3OCH2Br. The reaction proceeds via the formation of an energized CH3OCH2O2 adduct, which either dissociates to OH + 2 H2CO or is collisionally stabilized by the buffer gas. At temperatures above 550 K, a secondary source of OH was observed consistent with thermal decomposition of stabilized CH3OCH2O2 radicals. In order to quantify OH production from the CH3OCH2 + O2 reaction, extensive relative and absolute OH yield measurements were performed over the same (T, P) conditions as the kinetic experiments. The reaction was studied at sufficiently low radical concentrations (∼10(11) cm(-3)) that secondary (radical + radical) reactions were unimportant and the rate coefficients could be extracted from simple bi- or triexponential analysis. Ab initio (CBS-GB3)/master equation calculations (using the program MESMER) of the CH3OCH2 + O2 system were also performed to better understand this combustion-related reaction as well as be able to extrapolate experimental results to higher temperatures and pressures. To obtain agreement with experimental results (both kinetics and yield data), energies of the key transition states were substantially reduced (by 20-40 kJ mol(-1)) from their ab initio values and the effect of hindered rotations in the CH3OCH2 and CH3OCH2OO intermediates were taken into account. The optimized master equation model was used to generate a set of pressure and temperature dependent rate coefficients for the component nine phenomenological reactions that describe the CH3OCH2 + O2 system, including four well-skipping reactions. The rate coefficients were fitted to Chebyshev polynomials over the temperature and density ranges 200 to 1000 K and 1 × 10(17) to 1 × 10(23) molecules cm(-3) respectively for both N2 and He bath gases. Comparisons with an existing autoignition mechanism show that the well-skipping reactions are important at a pressure of 1 bar but are not significant at 10 bar. The main differences derive from the calculated rate coefficient for the CH3OCH2OO → CH2OCH2OOH reaction, which leads to a faster rate of formation of O2CH2OCH2OOH.

Applications of pressure-sensitive dielectric elastomer sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böse, Holger; Ocak, Deniz; Ehrlich, Johannes

2016-04-01

Dielectric elastomer sensors for the measurement of compression loads with high sensitivity are described. The basic design of the sensors exhibits two profiled surfaces between which an elastomer film is confined. All components of the sensor were prepared with silicone whose stiffness can be varied in a wide range. Depending on details of the sensor design, various effects contribute to the enhancement of the capacitance. The intermediate elastomer film is stretched upon compression and electrode layers on the elastomer profiles and in the elastomer film approach each other. Different designs of the pressure sensor give rise to very different sensor characteristics in terms of the dependence of electric capacitance on compression force. Due to their inherent flexibility, the pressure sensors can be used on compliant substrates such as seats or beds or on the human body. This gives rise to numerous possible applications. The contribution describes also some examples of possible sensor applications. A glove was equipped with various sensors positioned at the finger tips. When grabbing an object with the glove, the sensors can detect the gripping forces of the individual fingers with high sensitivity. In a demonstrator of the glove equipped with seven sensors, the capacitances representing the gripping forces are recorded on a display. In another application example, a lower limb prosthesis was equipped with a pressure sensor to detect the load on the remaining part of the leg and the load is displayed in terms of the measured capacitance. The benefit of such sensors is to detect an eventual overload in order to prevent possible pressure sores. A third example introduces a seat load sensor system based on four extended pressure sensor mats. The sensor system detects the load distribution of a person on the seat. The examples emphasize the high performance of the new pressure sensor technology.

[Design of low-intermediate frequency electrotherapy and pain assessment system].

PubMed

Liang, Chunyan; Tian, Xuelong; Yu, Xuehong; Luo, Hongyan

2014-06-01

Aiming at the single treatment and the design separation between treatment and assessment in electrotherapy equipment, a kind of system including low-intermediate frequency treatment and efficacy evaluation was developed. With C8051F020 single-chip microcomputer as the core and the circuit design and software programming used, the system realized the random switch of therapeutic parameters, the collection, display and data storage of pressure pain threshold in the assessment. Experiment results showed that the stimulus waveform, current intensity, frequency, duty ratio of the system output were adjustable, accurate and reliable. The obtained pressure pain threshold had a higher accuracy (< 0.3 N) and better stability, guiding the parameter choice in the precise electrical stimulation. It, therefore, provides a reliable technical support for the treatment and curative effect assessment.

Temperature and pressure dependences of Sm valence in intermediate valence compound SmB6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emi, N.; Mito, T.; Kawamura, N.; Mizumaki, M.; Ishimatsu, N.; Pristáš, G.; Kagayama, T.; Shimizu, K.; Osanai, Y.; Iga, F.

2018-05-01

We report the results of the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) on the intermediate valence compound SmB6. The XAS measurements were performed near the nonmagnetic-magnetic phase boundary. Mean Sm valence vSm was estimated from absorption spectra, and we found that vSm near the boundary (P ≥ 10 GPa and T ∼ 12 K) is far below a trivalent state with magnetic characteristics. Although the result is markedly different from the cases of pressure induced magnetic orders in Yb and Ce compounds, it is likely that the large deviation from the trivalent state seems to be common in some Sm compounds which possess electronic configuration between 4f5 and 4f6 with multi 4 f electrons.

The physics of long- and intermediate-wavelength asymmetries of the hot spot: Compression hydrodynamics and energetics

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

Bose, A.; Betti, R.; Shvarts, D.

To achieve ignition with inertial confinement fusion (ICF), it is important to under- stand the effect of asymmetries on the hydrodynamics and energetics of the compres- sion. This paper describes a theoretical model for the compression of distorted hot spots, and quantitative estimates using hydrodynamic simulations. The asymmetries are categorized into low (Ι < 6) and intermediate (Ι < A < 40) modes by comparison of the wavelength with the thermal-diffusion scale length. Long-wavelength modes introduce substantial nonradial motion, whereas intermediate-wavelength modes in- volve more cooling by thermal ablation. We discover that for distorted hot spots, the measured neutron-averaged propertiesmore » can be very different from the real hydro- dynamic conditions. This is because mass ablation driven my thermal conduction introduces flows in the Rayleigh–Taylor bubbles, this results in pressure variation, in addition to temperature variation between the bubbles and the neutron-producing region (~1 keV for intermediate modes). The differences are less pronounced for long-wavelength asymmetries since the bubbles are relatively hot and sustain fusion reactions. The yield degradation$-$ with respect to the symmetric$-$ results primarily from a reduction in the hot-spot pressure for low modes and from a reduction in burn volume for intermediate modes. It is shown that the degradation in internal energy of the hot-spot is equivalent for both categories, and is equal to the total residual energy in the shell including the bubbles. This quantity is correlated with the shell residual kinetic energy for low-modes, and includes the kinetic energy in the bubbles for mid-modes.« less

The physics of long- and intermediate-wavelength asymmetries of the hot spot: Compression hydrodynamics and energetics

DOE PAGES

Bose, A.; Betti, R.; Shvarts, D.; ...

2017-10-03

To achieve ignition with inertial confinement fusion (ICF), it is important to under- stand the effect of asymmetries on the hydrodynamics and energetics of the compres- sion. This paper describes a theoretical model for the compression of distorted hot spots, and quantitative estimates using hydrodynamic simulations. The asymmetries are categorized into low (Ι < 6) and intermediate (Ι < A < 40) modes by comparison of the wavelength with the thermal-diffusion scale length. Long-wavelength modes introduce substantial nonradial motion, whereas intermediate-wavelength modes in- volve more cooling by thermal ablation. We discover that for distorted hot spots, the measured neutron-averaged propertiesmore » can be very different from the real hydro- dynamic conditions. This is because mass ablation driven my thermal conduction introduces flows in the Rayleigh–Taylor bubbles, this results in pressure variation, in addition to temperature variation between the bubbles and the neutron-producing region (~1 keV for intermediate modes). The differences are less pronounced for long-wavelength asymmetries since the bubbles are relatively hot and sustain fusion reactions. The yield degradation$-$ with respect to the symmetric$-$ results primarily from a reduction in the hot-spot pressure for low modes and from a reduction in burn volume for intermediate modes. It is shown that the degradation in internal energy of the hot-spot is equivalent for both categories, and is equal to the total residual energy in the shell including the bubbles. This quantity is correlated with the shell residual kinetic energy for low-modes, and includes the kinetic energy in the bubbles for mid-modes.« less

INF (Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty and flexible response. Research report

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

Lewis, J.W.

1988-03-01

This paper examines how the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty affects NATO's military strategy of flexible response. A discussion of flexible response strategy is provided as background for the reader. Then, relevant terms of the INF treaty are addressed followed by an assessment of the treaty's impact on the military strategy of the alliance.

High Pressure Oxygen A-Band Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drouin, Brian; Sung, Keeyoon; Yu, Shanshan; Lunny, Elizabeth M.; Bui, Thinh Quoc; Okumura, Mitchio; Rupasinghe, Priyanka; Bray, Caitlin; Long, David A.; Hodges, Joseph; Robichaud, David; Benner, D. Chris; Devi, V. Malathy; Hoo, Jiajun

2015-06-01

Composition measurements from remote sensing platforms require knowledge of air mass to better than the desired precision of the composition. Oxygen spectra allow determination of air mass since the mixing ratio of oxygen is fixed. The OCO-2 mission is currently retrieving carbon dioxide concentration using the oxygen A-band for air mass normalization. The 0.25% accuracy desired for the carbon dioxide concentration has pushed the state-of-the-art for oxygen spectroscopy. To produce atmospheric pressure A-band cross-sections with this accuracy requires a sophisticated line-shape model (Galatry or Speed-Dependent) with line mixing (LM) and collision induced absorption (CIA). Models of each of these phenomena exist, but an integrated self-consistent model must be developed to ensure accuracy. This presentation will describe the ongoing effort to parameterize these phenomena on a representative data set created from complementary experimental techniques. The techniques include Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS), photo-acoustic spectroscopy (PAS) and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). CRDS data allow long-pathlength measurements with absolute intensities, providing lineshape information as well as LM and CIA, however the subtleties of the lineshape are diminished in the saturated line-centers. Conversely, the short paths and large dynamic range of the PAS data allow the full lineshape to be discerned, but with an arbitrary intensity axis. Finally, the FTS data provides intermediate paths and consistency across a broad pressure range. These spectra are all modeled with the Labfit software using first the spectral line database HITRAN, and then model values are adjusted and fitted for better agreement with the data.

Variation of parasite load and immune parameters in two species of New Zealand shore crabs.

PubMed

Dittmer, Jessica; Koehler, Anson V; Richard, Freddie-Jeanne; Poulin, Robert; Sicard, Mathieu

2011-09-01

While parasites are likely to encounter several potential intermediate hosts in natural communities, a parasite's actual range of compatible hosts is limited by numerous biological factors ranging from behaviour to immunology. In crustaceans, two major components of immunity are haemocytes and the prophenoloxidase system involved in the melanisation of foreign particles. Here, we analysed metazoan parasite prevalence and loads in the two sympatric crab species Hemigrapsus crenulatus and Macrophthalmus hirtipes at two sites. In parallel, we analysed the variation in haemocyte concentration and amount of circulating phenoloxidase (PO) in the haemolymph of the same individuals in an attempt to (a) explain differences in parasite prevalence and loads in the two species at two sites and (b) assess the impact of parasites on these immune parameters. M. hirtipes harboured more parasites but also exhibited higher haemocyte concentrations than H. crenulatus independent of the study site. Thus, higher investment in haemocyte production for M. hirtipes does not seem to result in higher resistance to parasites. Analyses of variation in immune parameters for the two crab species between the two sites that differed in parasite prevalence showed common trends. (a) In general, haemocyte concentrations were higher at the site experiencing higher parasitic pressure while circulating PO activity was lower and (b) haemocyte concentrations were influenced by microphallid trematode metacercariae in individuals from the site with higher parasitic pressure. We suggest that the higher haemocyte concentrations observed in both crab species exposed to higher parasitic pressure may represent an adaptive response to the impact of parasites on this immune parameter.

Neutron scattering measurements of carbon dioxide adsorption in pores within the Marcellus Shale: Implications for sequestration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stefanopoulos, Konstantinos L.; Youngs, Tristan G. A.; Sakurovs, Richard; Ruppert, Leslie F.; Bahadur, Jitendra; Melnichenko, Yuri B.

2017-01-01

Shale is an increasingly viable source of natural gas and a potential candidate for geologic CO2sequestration. Understanding the gas adsorption behavior on shale is necessary for the design of optimal gas recovery and sequestration projects. In the present study neutron diffraction and small-angle neutron scattering measurements of adsorbed CO2 in Marcellus Shale samples were conducted on the Near and InterMediate Range Order Diffractometer (NIMROD) at the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory along an adsorption isotherm of 22 °C and pressures of 25 and 40 bar. Additional measurements were conducted at approximately 22 and 60 °C at the same pressures on the General-Purpose Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (GP-SANS) instrument at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The structures investigated (pores) for CO2 adsorption range in size from Å level to ∼50 nm. The results indicate that, using the conditions investigated densification or condensation effects occurred in all accessible pores. The data suggest that at 22 °C the CO2 has liquid-like properties when confined in pores of around 1 nm radius at pressures as low as 25 bar. Many of the 2.5 nm pores, 70% of 2 nm pores, most of the <1 nm pores, and all pores <0.25 nm, are inaccessible or closed to CO2, suggesting that despite the vast numbers of micropores in shale, the micropores will be unavailable for storage for geologic CO2 sequestration.

Unstable equilibrium behaviour in collapsible tubes.

PubMed

Bertram, C D

1986-01-01

Thick-walled silicone rubber tube connected to rigid pipes upstream and downstream was externally pressurised (pe) to cause collapse while aqueous fluid flowed through propelled by a constant upstream head. Three types of equilibrium were found: stable equilibria (steady flow) at high downstream flow resistance R2, self-excited oscillations at low R2, and 'unattainable' (by varying external pressure) or exponentially unstable equilibria at intermediate R2. The self-excited oscillations were highly non-linear and appeared in four, apparently discrete, frequency bands: 2.7 Hz, 3.8-5.0 Hz, 12-16 Hz and 60-63 Hz, suggesting that the possible oscillation modes may be harmonically related. Stable, intermediate 'two-in-every-three-beats' oscillation was also observed, with a repetition frequency in the 3.8-5.0 Hz band. As pe was increased, self-excited oscillations were eventually suppressed, leaving internal fluid pressure varying with no single dominant frequency as a result of turbulent jet dissipation at the downstream rigid pipe connection. Comparison of pressure-wave velocity calculated from the local pressure-area relation for the tube with fluid velocity indicated that supercritical velocities were attained in the course of the self-excited oscillations.

Estimating Blade Section Airloads from Blade Leading-Edge Pressure Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

vanAken, Johannes M.

2003-01-01

The Tilt-Rotor Aeroacoustic Model (TRAM) test in the Duitse-Nederlandse Wind (DNW) Tunnel acquired blade pressure data for forward flight test conditions of a tiltrotor in helicopter mode. Chordwise pressure data at seven radial locations were integrated to obtain the blade section normal force. The present investigation evaluates the use of linear regression analysis and of neural networks in estimating the blade section normal force coefficient from a limited number of blade leading-edge pressure measurements and representative operating conditions. These network models are subsequently used to estimate the airloads at intermediate radial locations where only blade pressure measurements at the 3.5% chordwise stations are available.

Calibration of Relative Humidity Devices in Low-pressure, Low-temperature CO2 Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genzer, Maria; Polkko, Jouni; Nikkanen, Timo; Hieta, Maria; Harri, Ari-Matti

2017-04-01

Calibration of relative humidity devices requires in minimum two humidity points - dry (0%RH) and (near)saturation (95-100%RH) - over the expected operational temperature and pressure range of the device. In terrestrial applications these are relatively easy to achieve using for example N2 gas as dry medium, and water vapor saturation chambers for producing saturation and intermediate humidity points. But for example in applications intended for meteorological measurements on Mars there is a need to achieve at least dry and saturation points in low-temperature, low-pressure CO2 environment. We have developed a custom-made, small, relatively low-cost calibration chamber able to produce both dry points and saturation points in Martian range pressure CO2, in temperatures down to -70°C. The system utilizes a commercially available temperature chamber for temperature control, vacuum vessels and pumps. The main pressure vessel with the devices under test inside is placed inside the temperature chamber, and the pressure inside is controlled by pumps and manual valves and monitored with a commercial pressure reference with calibration traceable to national standards. Air, CO2, or if needed another gas like N2, is used for filling the vessel until the desired pressure is achieved. Another pressure vessel with a dedicated pressure pump is used as the saturation chamber. This vessel is placed in the room outside the temperature chamber, partly filled with water and used for achieving saturated water vapor in room-temperature low-pressure environment. The saturation chamber is connected to the main pressure vessel via valves. In this system dry point, low-pressure CO2 environment is achieved by filling the main pressure vessel with dry CO2 gas until the desired pressure is achieved. A constant flow of gas is maintained with the pump and valves and monitored with the pressure reference. The saturation point is then achieved by adding some water vapor from the saturation chamber to the main pressure vessel. The amount of water vapor added is also monitored with the pressure reference. For example in -70°C, very small absolute amount of water vapor corresponding to 1 Pa [1][2] pressure rise in the main chamber results in humidity saturation. As the flow of both CO2 and water vapor is kept constant, the main chamber is served with water vapor all the time, keeping the uniform saturation conditions inside the vessel even if some of the water freezes on the vessel and pipe walls. [1] Goff, J. A., and S. Gratch (1946) Low-pressure properties of water from -160 to 212 °F, Transactions of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers [2] Goff, J. A. (1957) Saturation pressure of water on the new Kelvin temperature scale, Transactions of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers

Nonempirical Semilocal Free-Energy Density Functional for Matter under Extreme Conditions.

PubMed

Karasiev, Valentin V; Dufty, James W; Trickey, S B

2018-02-16

Realizing the potential for predictive density functional calculations of matter under extreme conditions depends crucially upon having an exchange-correlation (XC) free-energy functional accurate over a wide range of state conditions. Unlike the ground-state case, no such functional exists. We remedy that with systematic construction of a generalized gradient approximation XC free-energy functional based on rigorous constraints, including the free-energy gradient expansion. The new functional provides the correct temperature dependence in the slowly varying regime and the correct zero-T, high-T, and homogeneous electron gas limits. Its accuracy in the warm dense matter regime is attested by excellent agreement of the calculated deuterium equation of state with reference path integral Monte Carlo results at intermediate and elevated T. Pressure shifts for hot electrons in compressed static fcc Al and for low-density Al demonstrate the combined magnitude of thermal and gradient effects handled well by this functional over a wide T range.

Nonempirical Semilocal Free-Energy Density Functional for Matter under Extreme Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karasiev, Valentin V.; Dufty, James W.; Trickey, S. B.

2018-02-01

Realizing the potential for predictive density functional calculations of matter under extreme conditions depends crucially upon having an exchange-correlation (X C ) free-energy functional accurate over a wide range of state conditions. Unlike the ground-state case, no such functional exists. We remedy that with systematic construction of a generalized gradient approximation X C free-energy functional based on rigorous constraints, including the free-energy gradient expansion. The new functional provides the correct temperature dependence in the slowly varying regime and the correct zero-T , high-T , and homogeneous electron gas limits. Its accuracy in the warm dense matter regime is attested by excellent agreement of the calculated deuterium equation of state with reference path integral Monte Carlo results at intermediate and elevated T . Pressure shifts for hot electrons in compressed static fcc Al and for low-density Al demonstrate the combined magnitude of thermal and gradient effects handled well by this functional over a wide T range.

Shock, release and reshock of PBX 9502: experiments and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aslam, Tariq; Gustavsen, Richard; Whitworh, Nicholas; Menikoff, Ralph; Tarver, Craig; Handley, Caroline; Bartram, Brian

2017-06-01

We examine shock, release and reshock into the tri-amino-tri-nitro-benzene (TATB) based explosive PBX 9502 (95% TATB, 5% Kel-F 800) from both an experimental and modeling point of view. The experiments are performed on the 2-stage light gas gun at Los Alamos National Laboratory and are composed of a multi-layered impactor impinging on PBX 9502 backed by a polymethylmethacrylate window. The objective is to initially shock the PBX 9502 in the 7 GPa range (too weak to start significant reaction), then allow a rarefaction fan to release the material to a lower pressure/temperature state. Following this release, a strong second shock will recompress the PBX. If the rarefaction fan releases the PBX to a very low pressure, the ensuing second shock can increase the entropy and temperature substantially more than in previous double-shock experiments without an intermediate release. Predictions from a variety of reactive burn models (AWSD, CREST, Ignition and Growth, SURF) demonstrate significantly different behaviors and thus the experiments are an excellent validation test of the models, and may suggest improvements for subsequent modeling efforts.

Superconductivity of novel tin hydrides (Sn(n)H(m)) under pressure.

PubMed

Mahdi Davari Esfahani, M; Wang, Zhenhai; Oganov, Artem R; Dong, Huafeng; Zhu, Qiang; Wang, Shengnan; Rakitin, Maksim S; Zhou, Xiang-Feng

2016-03-11

With the motivation of discovering high-temperature superconductors, evolutionary algorithm USPEX is employed to search for all stable compounds in the Sn-H system. In addition to the traditional SnH4, new hydrides SnH8, SnH12 and SnH14 are found to be thermodynamically stable at high pressure. Dynamical stability and superconductivity of tin hydrides are systematically investigated. I4m2-SnH8, C2/m-SnH12 and C2/m-SnH14 exhibit higher superconducting transition temperatures of 81, 93 and 97 K compared to the traditional compound SnH4 with Tc of 52 K at 200 GPa. An interesting bent H3-group in I4m2-SnH8 and novel linear H in C2/m-SnH12 are observed. All the new tin hydrides remain metallic over their predicted range of stability. The intermediate-frequency wagging and bending vibrations have more contribution to electron-phonon coupling parameter than high-frequency stretching vibrations of H2 and H3.

An experimental and kinetic modeling study on dimethyl carbonate (DMC) pyrolysis and combustion

DOE PAGES

Sun, Wenyu; Yang, Bin; Hansen, Nils; ...

2015-12-08

Because of the absence of C–C bonds and the large oxygen content in its molecular structure, dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a promising oxygenated additive or substitute for hydrocarbon fuels. In order to understand its chemical oxidation and combustion kinetics, flow reactor pyrolysis at different pressures (40, 200 and 1040 mbar) and low-pressure laminar premixed flames with different equivalence ratios (1.0 and 1.5) were investigated. Mole fraction profiles of many reaction intermediates and products were obtained within estimated experimental uncertainties. From theoretical calculations and estimations, a detailed kinetic model for DMC pyrolysis and high-temperature combustion consisting of 257 species and 1563more » reactions was developed. The performance of the kinetic model was then analyzed using detailed chemical composition information, primarily from the present measurements. In addition, it was examined against the chemical structure of an opposed-flow diffusion flame, relying on global combustion properties such as the ignition delay times and laminar burning velocities. Furthermore, these extended comparisons yielded overall satisfactory agreement, demonstrating the applicability of the present model over a wide range of high-temperature conditions.« less

Range-gated field disturbance sensor with range-sensitivity compensation

DOEpatents

McEwan, T.E.

1996-05-28

A field disturbance sensor operates with relatively low power, provides an adjustable operating range, is not hypersensitive at close range, allows co-location of multiple sensors, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The sensor includes a transmitter that transmits a sequence of transmitted bursts of electromagnetic energy. The transmitter frequency is modulated at an intermediate frequency. The sequence of bursts has a burst repetition rate, and each burst has a burst width and comprises a number of cycles at a transmitter frequency. The sensor includes a receiver which receives electromagnetic energy at the transmitter frequency, and includes a mixer which mixes a transmitted burst with reflections of the same transmitted burst to produce an intermediate frequency signal. Circuitry, responsive to the intermediate frequency signal indicates disturbances in the sensor field. Because the mixer mixes the transmitted burst with reflections of the transmitted burst, the burst width defines the sensor range. The burst repetition rate is randomly or pseudorandomly modulated so that bursts in the sequence of bursts have a phase which varies. 8 figs.

Range-gated field disturbance sensor with range-sensitivity compensation

DOEpatents

McEwan, Thomas E.

1996-01-01

A field disturbance sensor operates with relatively low power, provides an adjustable operating range, is not hypersensitive at close range, allows co-location of multiple sensors, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The sensor includes a transmitter that transmits a sequence of transmitted bursts of electromagnetic energy. The transmitter frequency is modulated at an intermediate frequency. The sequence of bursts has a burst repetition rate, and each burst has a burst width and comprises a number of cycles at a transmitter frequency. The sensor includes a receiver which receives electromagnetic energy at the transmitter frequency, and includes a mixer which mixes a transmitted burst with reflections of the same transmitted burst to produce an intermediate frequency signal. Circuitry, responsive to the intermediate frequency signal indicates disturbances in the sensor field. Because the mixer mixes the transmitted burst with reflections of the transmitted burst, the burst width defines the sensor range. The burst repetition rate is randomly or pseudorandomly modulated so that bursts in the sequence of bursts have a phase which varies.

Ab Initio Reaction Kinetics of CH 3 O$$\\dot{C}$$(=O) and $$\\dot{C}$$H 2 OC(=O)H Radicals

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

Tan, Ting; Yang, Xueliang; Ju, Yiguang

The dissociation and isomerization kinetics of the methyl ester combustion intermediates methoxycarbonyl radical (CH3Omore » $$\\dot{C}$$(=O)) and (formyloxy)methyl radical ($$\\dot{C}$$H2OC(=O)H) are investigated theoretically using high-level ab initio methods and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM)/master equation (ME) theory. Geometries obtained at the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) and coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)) levels of theory are found to be similar. We employ high-level ab initio wave function methods to refine the potential energy surface: CCSD(T), multireference singles and doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) with the Davidson–Silver (DS) correction, and multireference averaged coupled-pair functional (MRACPF2) theory. MRSDCI+DS and MRACPF2 capture the multiconfigurational character of transition states (TSs) and predict lower barrier heights than CCSD(T). The temperature- and pressure-dependent rate coefficients are computed using RRKM/ME theory in the temperature range 300–2500 K and a pressure range of 0.01 atm to the high-pressure limit, which are then fitted to modified Arrhenius expressions. Dissociation of CH3O$$\\dot{C}$$(=O) to $$\\dot{C}$$H3 and CO2 is predicted to be much faster than dissociating to CH3$$\\dot{O}$$ and CO, consistent with its greater exothermicity. Isomerization between CH3O$$\\dot{C}$$(=O) and $$\\dot{C}$$H2OC(=O)H is predicted to be the slowest among the studied reactions and rarely happens even at high temperature and high pressure, suggesting the decomposition pathways of the two radicals are not strongly coupled. The predicted rate coefficients and branching fractions at finite pressures differ significantly from the corresponding high-pressure-limit results, especially at relatively high temperatures. Finally, because it is one of the most important CH3$$\\dot{O}$$ removal mechanisms under atmospheric conditions, the reaction kinetics of CH3$$\\dot{O}$$ + CO was also studied along the PES of CH3O$$\\dot{C}$$(=O); the resulting kinetics predictions are in remarkable agreement with experiments.« less

Estimating different eruptive style volcanic areas of Mars from NASA Martian Meteorites Compendium data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mari, Nicola; Verrino, Miriam

2016-04-01

The geomorphological characteristics of the Martian surface suggest that both effusive and explosive eruptive behaviour occurred. We investigated whether data about magma viscosity could be extrapolated from Mars SNCs (Shergotty, Nakhla, and Chassigny classes) meteorites, by using available geochemical and petrographic data from the NASA Martian Meteorites Compendium. Viscosity was used to characterize how eruptive style could change in different volcanic regions of planet Mars. Data about composition and crystallinity of 41 SNCs meteorites were used and classified, avoiding meteorites with poor/incomplete database. We assumed Mars as a one-plate planet, fO2 = QFM, and H2O wt% = 0 for each sample. Collected data from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS TES) identified the source regions for almost all the studied SNCs meteorites. As input for thermodynamic simulations we first needed to find the depth and pressure of the magmatic source for each meteorite sample through available Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS). Data about average surface temperatures was used to establish whether a magmatic source is shallow or deep. Successively, we found the magma source depth (and pressure) by using the relationship with the heights of the volcanic edifice. The subsolidus equilibration temperatures found through petrologic softwares were used to calculate viscosity. Results indicate a crystallization temperature in a range from 1,120°C to 843°C, follow by a variation in viscosity from 101,43 to 105,97 Pa s. Viscosity seems to be higher in Tharsis, Elysium, Amazonis, and Syrtis Major regions than the remnant areas. According to past experimental studies about magma viscosity, we classified the eruptive style into effusive (101-103,5 Pa s), intermediate (103,5-104,5 Pa s), and explosive (104,5-106 Pa s). The Hellas Basin, Argyre Basin, Ganges Chasma, Eos Chasma, and Nili Fossae regions show an eruptive behaviour between effusive and intermediate, while the Tharsis, Elysium, Amazonis, Syrtis Major, and Terra Tyrrhena regions have a more explosive eruptive style, even if effusive/intermediate activity also occur. Our results seems to be in accord with the Martian geomorphology of the cited areas.

Study of protein folding under native conditions by rapidly switching the hydrostatic pressure inside an NMR sample cell

PubMed Central

Charlier, Cyril; Alderson, T. Reid; Courtney, Joseph M.; Ying, Jinfa; Anfinrud, Philip

2018-01-01

In general, small proteins rapidly fold on the timescale of milliseconds or less. For proteins with a substantial volume difference between the folded and unfolded states, their thermodynamic equilibrium can be altered by varying the hydrostatic pressure. Using a pressure-sensitized mutant of ubiquitin, we demonstrate that rapidly switching the pressure within an NMR sample cell enables study of the unfolded protein under native conditions and, vice versa, study of the native protein under denaturing conditions. This approach makes it possible to record 2D and 3D NMR spectra of the unfolded protein at atmospheric pressure, providing residue-specific information on the folding process. 15N and 13C chemical shifts measured immediately after dropping the pressure from 2.5 kbar (favoring unfolding) to 1 bar (native) are close to the random-coil chemical shifts observed for a large, disordered peptide fragment of the protein. However, 15N relaxation data show evidence for rapid exchange, on a ∼100-μs timescale, between the unfolded state and unstable, structured states that can be considered as failed folding events. The NMR data also provide direct evidence for parallel folding pathways, with approximately one-half of the protein molecules efficiently folding through an on-pathway kinetic intermediate, whereas the other half fold in a single step. At protein concentrations above ∼300 μM, oligomeric off-pathway intermediates compete with folding of the native state. PMID:29666248

Teacher Resource Book for Population Pressure in Indonesia, Problems of Industrialization in Eurasia, Power Blocs in Eurasia. Man on the Earth Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunn, Angus

This teacher's resource book is a guide to three intermediate texts about Eurasia entitled Population Pressure in Indonesia, Problems of Industrialization in Eurasia, and Power Blocs in Eurasia. The texts are part of the series, Man on the Earth, which probes broad-based issues confronting mankind. The resource book distinguishes 18 major concepts…

Heat-transfer analysis of double-pipe heat exchangers for indirect-cycle SCW NPP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thind, Harwinder

SuperCritical-Water-cooled Reactors (SCWRs) are being developed as one of the Generation-IV nuclear-reactor concepts. SuperCritical Water (SCW) Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are expected to have much higher operating parameters compared to current NPPs, i.e., pressure of about 25 MPa and outlet temperature up to 625 °C. This study presents the heat transfer analysis of an intermediate Heat exchanger (HX) design for indirect-cycle concepts of Pressure-Tube (PT) and Pressure-Vessel (PV) SCWRs. Thermodynamic configurations with an intermediate HX gives a possibility to have a single-reheat option for PT and PV SCWRs without introducing steam-reheat channels into a reactor. Similar to the current CANDU and Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) NPPs, steam generators separate the primary loop from the secondary loop. In this way, the primary loop can be completely enclosed in a reactor containment building. This study analyzes the heat transfer from a SCW primary (reactor) loop to a SCW and Super-Heated Steam (SHS) secondary (turbine) loop using a double-pipe intermediate HX. The numerical model is developed with MATLAB and NIST REFPROP software. Water from the primary loop flows through the inner pipe, and water from the secondary loop flows through the annulus in the counter direction of the double-pipe HX. The analysis on the double-pipe HX shows temperature and profiles of thermophysical properties along the heated length of the HX. It was found that the pseudocritical region has a significant effect on the temperature profiles and heat-transfer area of the HX. An analysis shows the effect of variation in pressure, temperature, mass flow rate, and pipe size on the pseudocritical region and the heat-transfer area of the HX. The results from the numerical model can be used to optimize the heat-transfer area of the HX. The higher pressure difference on the hot side and higher temperature difference between the hot and cold sides reduces the pseudocritical-region length, thus decreases the heat-transfer surface area of the HX.

Consequences of intravascular lymphatic valve properties: a study of contraction timing in a multi-lymphangion model

PubMed Central

Macaskill, Charlie; Davis, Michael J.; Moore, James E.

2016-01-01

The observed properties of valves in collecting lymphatic vessels include transmural pressure-dependent bias to the open state and hysteresis. The bias may reduce resistance to flow when the vessel is functioning as a conduit. However, lymphatic pumping implies a streamwise increase in mean pressure across each valve, suggesting that the bias is then potentially unhelpful. Lymph pumping by a model of several collecting lymphatic vessel segments (lymphangions) in series, which incorporated these properties, was investigated under conditions of adverse pressure difference while varying the refractory period between active muscular contractions and the inter-lymphangion contraction delay. It was found that many combinations of the timing parameters and the adverse pressure difference led to one or more intermediate valves remaining open instead of switching between open and closed states during repetitive contraction cycles. Cyclic valve switching was reliably indicated if the mean pressure in a lymphangion over a cycle was higher than that in the lymphangion upstream, but either lack of or very brief valve closure could cause mean pressure to be lower downstream. Widely separated combinations of refractory period and delay time were found to produce the greatest flow-rate for a given pressure difference. The efficiency of pumping was always maximized by a long refractory period and lymphangion contraction starting when the contraction of the lymphangion immediately upstream was peaking. By means of an ex vivo experiment, it was verified that intermediate valves in a chain of pumping lymphangions can remain open, while the lymphangions on either side of the open valve continue to execute contractions. PMID:26747501

Visible/near-infrared spectra of experimentally shocked plagioclase feldspars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, J. R.; Horz, F.

2003-01-01

High shock pressures cause structural changes in plagioclase feldspars such as mechanical fracturing and disaggregation of the crystal lattice at submicron scales, the formation of diaplectic glass (maskelynite), and genuine melting. Past studies of visible/ near-infrared spectra of shocked feldspars demonstrated few spectral variations with pressure except for a decrease in the depth of the absorption feature near 1250-1300 nm and an overall decrease in reflectance. New visible/near-infrared spectra (400-2500 nm) of experimentally shocked (17-56 GPa) albite- and anorthite-rich rock powders demonstrate similar trends, including the loss of minor hydrated mineral bands near 1410, 1930, 2250, and 2350 nm. However, the most interesting new observations are increases in reflectance at intermediate pressures, followed by subsequent decreases in reflectance at higher pressures. The amount of internal scattering and overall sample reflectance is controlled by the relative proportions of micro-fractures, submicron grains, diaplectic glass, and melts formed during shock metamorphism. We interpret the observed reflectance increases at intermediate pressures to result from progressively larger proportions of submicron feldspar grains and diaplectic glass. The ensuing decreases in reflectance occur after diaplectic glass formation is complete and the proportion of genuine melt inclusions increases. The pressure regimes over which these reflectance variations occur differ between albite and anorthite, consistent with thermal infrared spectra of these samples and previous studies of shocked feldspars. These types of spectral variations associated with different peak shock pressures should be considered during interpretation and modeling of visible/near-infrared remotely sensed spectra of planetary and asteroidal surfaces.

Investigation of iron oxide reduction by TEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rau, Mann-Fu; Rieck, David; Evans, James W.

1987-03-01

An “environmental cell” located in a high voltage transmission electron microscope has been used to study the reduction of single crystal iron oxides by hydrogen and hydrogen-argon mixtures. The cell enables a direct observation of the solid during reaction, thus permitting the nucleation and growth of solid reaction products to be observed. Hematite was reduced at temperatures in the range 387 to 610°C with gas pressures up to 5.3 kP. Reduction with pure hydrogen was considerably faster than when argon was present. Lath magnetite which rapidly transforms to porous magnetite and thence (more slowly) to porous iron was observed. The reduction of magnetite and of wustite single crystals was observed in the temperature range 300 to 514°C using both hydrogen and hydrogen-argon mixtures at gas pressures up to 6.6 kP. Incubation periods were found for magnetite reduction; during these periods faceted pits formed in the oxide. Iron formed in the early stages was epitaxial with the host magnetite; at later stages the epitaxy was lost and fissures frequently formed in the metal. The morphology of the iron differed between the gas mixtures. Disproportionation accompanied the reduction of wustite, producing intermediate polycrystalline magnetite despite reducing conditions. The disproportionation appeared to be promoted by the reduction reaction. For both oxides, reduction in the hydrogen-argon mixture was slower than in pure hydrogen.

Molecular dynamics simulations of propane in slit shaped silica nano-pores: direct comparison with quasielastic neutron scattering experiments.

PubMed

Gautam, Siddharth; Le, Thu; Striolo, Alberto; Cole, David

2017-12-13

Molecular motion under confinement has important implications for a variety of applications including gas recovery and catalysis. Propane confined in mesoporous silica aerogel as studied using quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) showed anomalous pressure dependence in its diffusion coefficient (J. Phys. Chem. C, 2015, 119, 18188). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are often employed to complement the information obtained from QENS experiments. Here, we report an MD simulation study to probe the anomalous pressure dependence of propane diffusion in silica aerogel. Comparison is attempted based on the self-diffusion coefficients and on the time scales of the decay of the simulated intermediate scattering functions. While the self-diffusion coefficients obtained from the simulated mean squared displacement profiles do not exhibit the anomalous pressure dependence observed in the experiments, the time scales of the decay of the intermediate scattering functions calculated from the simulation data match the corresponding quantities obtained in the QENS experiment and thus confirm the anomalous pressure dependence of the diffusion coefficient. The origin of the anomaly in pressure dependence lies in the presence of an adsorbed layer of propane molecules that seems to dominate the confined propane dynamics at low pressure, thereby lowering the diffusion coefficient. Further, time scales for rotational motion obtained from the simulations explain the absence of rotational contribution to the QENS spectra in the experiments. In particular, the rotational motion of the simulated propane molecules is found to exhibit large angular jumps at lower pressure. The present MD simulation work thus reveals important new insights into the origin of anomalous pressure dependence of propane diffusivity in silica mesopores and supplements the information obtained experimentally by QENS data.

The investigation of order–disorder transition process of ZSM-5 induced by spark plasma sintering

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

Wang, Liang; Wang, Lianjun, E-mail: wanglj@dhu.edu.cn; Jiang, Wan

2014-04-01

Based on the amorphization of zeolites, an order–disorder transition method was used to prepare silica glass via Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). In order to get a better understanding about the mechanism of amorphization induced by SPS, the intermediate products in this process were prepared and characterized by different characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction and High-energy synchrotron X-ray scattering show a gradual transformation from ordered crystal to glass. Local structural changes in glass network including Si–O bond length, O–Si–O bond angle, size of rings, coordination were detected by Infrared spectroscopy and {sup 29}Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Topologically ordered,more » amorphous material with a different intermediate-range structure can be obtained by precise control of intermediate process which can be expected to optimize and design material. - Graphical abstract: Low-density, ordered zeolites collapse to the rigid amorphous glass through spark plasma sintering. The intermediate-range structure formed in the process of order–disorder transition may give rise to specific property. - Highlights: • Order–disorder transition process of ZSM-5 induced by spark plasma sintering was investigated using several methods including XRD, High-energy synchrotron X-ray scattering, SAXS, IR, NMR, ect. • Order–disorder transition induced by SPS was compared with TIA and PIA. • Three stages has been divided during the whole process. • The collapse temperature range which may give rise to intermediate-range structure has been located.« less

Understanding the mechanism of catalytic fast pyrolysis by unveiling reactive intermediates in heterogeneous catalysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemberger, Patrick; Custodis, Victoria B. F.; Bodi, Andras; Gerber, Thomas; van Bokhoven, Jeroen A.

2017-06-01

Catalytic fast pyrolysis is a promising way to convert lignin into fine chemicals and fuels, but current approaches lack selectivity and yield unsatisfactory conversion. Understanding the pyrolysis reaction mechanism at the molecular level may help to make this sustainable process more economic. Reactive intermediates are responsible for product branching and hold the key to unveiling these mechanisms, but are notoriously difficult to detect isomer-selectively. Here, we investigate the catalytic pyrolysis of guaiacol, a lignin model compound, using photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation, which allows for isomer-selective detection of reactive intermediates. In combination with ambient pressure pyrolysis, we identify fulvenone as the central reactive intermediate, generated by catalytic demethylation to catechol and subsequent dehydration. The fulvenone ketene is responsible for the phenol formation. This technique may open unique opportunities for isomer-resolved probing in catalysis, and holds the potential for achieving a mechanistic understanding of complex, real-life catalytic processes.

Environmental Barrier Coatings Having a YSZ Top Coat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Kang N.; Gray, Hugh (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) with a Si bond coat, a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) top coat, and various intermediate coats were investigated. EBCs were processed by atmospheric pressure plasma spraying. The EBC durability was determined by thermal cycling tests in water vapor at 1300 C and 1400 C, and in air at 1400 C and 1500 C. EBCs with a mullite (3Al2O3 (dot) 2SiO2) + BSAS (1 - xBaO (dot) xSrO (dot) Al2O3 (dot) 2SiO2) intermediate coat were more durable than EBCs with a mullite intermediate coat, while EBCs with a mullite/BSAS duplex intermediate coat resulted in inferior durability. The improvement with a mullite + BSAS intermediate coat was attributed to enhanced compliance of the intermediate coat due to the addition of a low modulus BSAS second phase. Mullite + BSAS/YSZ and BSAS/YSZ interfaces produced a low melting (less than 1400 C) reaction product, which is expected to degrade the EBC performance by increasing the thermal conductivity. EBCs with a mullite + BSAS / graded mullite + YSZ intermediate coat showed the best durability among the EBCs investigated in this study. This improvement was attributed to diffused CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) mismatch stress and improved chemical stability due to the compositionally graded mullite+YSZ layer.

Physicochemical controls on absorbed water film thickness in unsaturated geological media

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

Tokunaga, T.

2011-06-14

Adsorbed water films commonly coat mineral surfaces in unsaturated soils and rocks, reducing flow and transport rates. Therefore, it is important to understand how adsorbed film thickness depends on matric potential, surface chemistry, and solution chemistry. Here, the problem of adsorbed water film thickness is examined through combining capillary scaling with the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Novel aspects of this analysis include determining capillary influences on film thicknesses, and incorporating solution chemistry-dependent electrostatic potential at air-water interfaces. Capillary analysis of monodisperse packings of spherical grains provided estimated ranges of matric potentials where adsorbed films are stable, and showed that pendular ringsmore » within drained porous media retain most of the 'residual' water except under very low matric potentials. Within drained pores, capillary contributions to thinning of adsorbed films on spherical grains are shown to be small, such that DLVO calculations for flat surfaces are suitable approximations. Hamaker constants of common soil minerals were obtained to determine ranges of the dispersion component to matric potential-dependent film thickness. The pressure component associated with electrical double layer forces was estimated using the compression and linear superposition approximations. The pH-dependent electrical double layer pressure component is the dominant contribution to film thicknesses at intermediate values of matric potential, especially in lower ionic strength solutions (< 10 mol m{sup -3}) on surfaces with higher magnitude electrostatic potentials (more negative than - 50 mV). Adsorbed water films are predicted to usually range in thickness from 1 to 20 nm in drained pores and fractures of unsaturated environments.« less

Physicochemical controls on adsorbed water film thickness in unsaturated geological media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tokunaga, Tetsu K.

2011-08-01

Adsorbed water films commonly coat mineral surfaces in unsaturated soils and rocks, reducing flow and transport rates. Therefore, it is important to understand how adsorbed film thickness depends on matric potential, surface chemistry, and solution chemistry. Here the problem of adsorbed water film thickness is examined by combining capillary scaling with the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Novel aspects of this analysis include determining capillary influences on film thicknesses and incorporating solution chemistry-dependent electrostatic potential at air-water interfaces. Capillary analysis of monodisperse packings of spherical grains provided estimated ranges of matric potentials where adsorbed films are stable and showed that pendular rings within drained porous media retain most of the "residual" water except under very low matric potentials. Within drained pores, capillary contributions to thinning of adsorbed films on spherical grains are shown to be small, such that DLVO calculations for flat surfaces are suitable approximations. Hamaker constants of common soil minerals were obtained to determine ranges of the dispersion component to matric potential-dependent film thickness. The pressure component associated with electrical double-layer forces was estimated using the compression and linear superposition approximations. The pH-dependent electrical double-layer pressure component is the dominant contribution to film thicknesses at intermediate values of matric potential, especially in lower ionic strength solutions (<10 mol m-3) on surfaces with higher-magnitude electrostatic potentials (more negative than ≈-50 mV). Adsorbed water films are predicted to usually range in thickness from ≈1 to 20 nm in drained pores and fractures of unsaturated environments.

Thermochemical and kinetic analyses on oxidation of isobutenyl radical and 2-hydroperoxymethyl-2-propenyl radical.

PubMed

Zheng, X L; Sun, H Y; Law, C K

2005-10-13

In recognition of the importance of the isobutene oxidation reaction in the preignition chemistry associated with engine knock, the thermochemistry, chemical reaction pathways, and reaction kinetics of the isobutenyl radical oxidation at low to intermediate temperature range were computationally studied, focusing on both the first and the second O2 addition to the isobutenyl radical. The geometries of reactants, important intermediates, transition states, and products in the isobutenyl radical oxidation system were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MP2(full)/6-31G(d) levels, and the thermochemical properties were determined on the basis of ab initio, density functional theory, and statistical mechanics. Enthalpies of formation for several important intermediates were calculated using isodesmic reactions at the DFT and the CBS-QB3 levels. The kinetic analysis of the first O2 addition to the isobutenyl radical was performed using enthalpies at the CBS-QB3 and G3(MP2) levels. The reaction forms a chemically activated isobutenyl peroxy adduct which can be stabilized, dissociate back to reactants, cyclize to cyclic peroxide-alkyl radicals, and isomerize to the 2-hydroperoxymethyl-2-propenyl radical that further undergoes another O2 addition. The reaction channels for isomerization and cyclization and further dissociation on this second O2 addition were analyzed using enthalpies at the DFT level with energy corrections based on similar reaction channels for the first O2 addition. The high-pressure limit rate constants for each reaction channel were determined as functions of temperature by the canonical transition state theory for further kinetic model development.

Widespread gas hydrate instability on the upper U.S. Beaufort margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phrampus, Benjamin J.; Hornbach, Matthew J.; Ruppel, Carolyn D.; Hart, Patrick E.

2014-12-01

The most climate-sensitive methane hydrate deposits occur on upper continental slopes at depths close to the minimum pressure and maximum temperature for gas hydrate stability. At these water depths, small perturbations in intermediate ocean water temperatures can lead to gas hydrate dissociation. The Arctic Ocean has experienced more dramatic warming than lower latitudes, but observational data have not been used to study the interplay between upper slope gas hydrates and warming ocean waters. Here we use (a) legacy seismic data that constrain upper slope gas hydrate distributions on the U.S. Beaufort Sea margin, (b) Alaskan North Slope borehole data and offshore thermal gradients determined from gas hydrate stability zone thickness to infer regional heat flow, and (c) 1088 direct measurements to characterize multidecadal intermediate ocean warming in the U.S. Beaufort Sea. Combining these data with a three-dimensional thermal model shows that the observed gas hydrate stability zone is too deep by 100 to 250 m. The disparity can be partially attributed to several processes, but the most important is the reequilibration (thinning) of gas hydrates in response to significant (~0.5°C at 2σ certainty) warming of intermediate ocean temperatures over 39 years in a depth range that brackets the upper slope extent of the gas hydrate stability zone. Even in the absence of additional ocean warming, 0.44 to 2.2 Gt of methane could be released from reequilibrating gas hydrates into the sediments underlying an area of ~5-7.5 × 103 km2 on the U.S. Beaufort Sea upper slope during the next century.

Size- and pressure-controlled ferromagnetism in LaCoO3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fita, I.; Markovich, V.; Mogilyansky, D.; Puzniak, R.; Wisniewski, A.; Titelman, L.; Vradman, L.; Herskowitz, M.; Varyukhin, V. N.; Gorodetsky, G.

2008-06-01

Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline LaCoO3 with particle size of 25, 30, 32, and 38 nm, prepared by the citrate method, were investigated in temperature range 2-320 K, magnetic field up to 50 kOe, and under hydrostatic pressure up to 11 kbar. All nanoparticles exhibit weak ferromagnetism below TC≈85K , in agreement with recent observation on LaCoO3 particles and tensile thin films. It was found that with decreasing particle size, i.e., with increasing the surface to volume ratio, the unit-cell volume increases monotonically due to the surface effect. The ferromagnetic moment increases as well, simultaneously with lattice expansion, whereas TC remains nearly unchanged. On the other hand, an applied hydrostatic pressure suppresses strongly the ferromagnetic phase leading to its full disappearance at 10 kbar, while the TC does not change visibly under pressure. It appears that the ferromagnetism in LaCoO3 nanoparticles is controlled by the unit-cell volume. This clear correlation suggests that the nature of ferromagnetic ground state of LaCoO3 is likely related to orbitally ordered Jahn-Teller active Co3+ ions with intermediate-spin (IS) state, which may persist in the expanded lattice at low temperatures. A robust orbital order presumed among the IS Co3+ species can explain the very stable TC observed for LaCoO3 samples prepared under different conditions: single crystal powders, nanoparticles, and thin films.

A thermomechanical constitutive model for cemented granular materials with quantifiable internal variables. Part II - Validation and localization analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Arghya; Tengattini, Alessandro; Nguyen, Giang D.; Viggiani, Gioacchino; Hall, Stephen A.; Einav, Itai

2014-10-01

We study the mechanical failure of cemented granular materials (e.g., sandstones) using a constitutive model based on breakage mechanics for grain crushing and damage mechanics for cement fracture. The theoretical aspects of this model are presented in Part I: Tengattini et al. (2014), A thermomechanical constitutive model for cemented granular materials with quantifiable internal variables, Part I - Theory (Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 10.1016/j.jmps.2014.05.021). In this Part II we investigate the constitutive and structural responses of cemented granular materials through analyses of Boundary Value Problems (BVPs). The multiple failure mechanisms captured by the proposed model enable the behavior of cemented granular rocks to be well reproduced for a wide range of confining pressures. Furthermore, through comparison of the model predictions and experimental data, the micromechanical basis of the model provides improved understanding of failure mechanisms of cemented granular materials. In particular, we show that grain crushing is the predominant inelastic deformation mechanism under high pressures while cement failure is the relevant mechanism at low pressures. Over an intermediate pressure regime a mixed mode of failure mechanisms is observed. Furthermore, the micromechanical roots of the model allow the effects on localized deformation modes of various initial microstructures to be studied. The results obtained from both the constitutive responses and BVP solutions indicate that the proposed approach and model provide a promising basis for future theoretical studies on cemented granular materials.

Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of cyclohexene on Pt(1 0 0): A sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopic and kinetic study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bratlie, Kaitlin M.; Flores, Lucio D.; Somorjai, Gabor A.

2005-12-01

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and kinetic measurements were performed during cyclohexene hydrogenation/dehydrogenation over a range of pressures (10 -8-5 Torr) and temperatures (300-500 K) on the Pt(1 0 0) surface. Upon adsorption at pressures below 1.5 Torr and at 300 K, cyclohexene dehydrogenates to form π-allyl c-C 6H 9 and hydrogenates to form cyclohexyl (C 6H 11) surface intermediates. Increasing the pressure to 1.5 Torr produces adsorbed 1,4-cyclohexadiene, π-allyl c-C 6H 9, and cyclohexyl species. These adsorbed molecules are found both in the absence and presence of excess hydrogen on the Pt(1 0 0) surface at high pressures and up to 380 K and 360 K, respectively. π-Allyl c-C 6H 9 and cyclohexyl are adsorbed on the surface up to 440 K in the absence of excess hydrogen and 460 K in the presence of excess hydrogen, at which point they are no longer detectable by SFG. Kinetic studies in the absence of excess hydrogen show that the apparent activation energy for the dehydrogenation pathway (14.3 ± 1.2 kcal/mol) is similar to that of the hydrogenation pathway (12.9 ± 0.6 kcal/mol). Different apparent activation energies are observed for the dehydrogenation pathway (22.4 ± 1.6 kcal/mol) and the hydrogenation pathway (18.8 ± 0.9 kcal/mol) in the presence of excess hydrogen.

Study of low gravity propellant transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The results are presented of a program to perform an analytical assessment of potential methods for replenishing the auxiliary propulsion, fuel cell and life support cryogens which may be aboard an orbiting space station. The fluids involved are cryogenic H2, O2, and N2. A complete transfer system was taken to consist of supply storage, transfer, and receiver tank fluid conditioning (pressure and temperature control). In terms of supply storage, the basic systems considered were high pressure (greater than critical), intermediate pressure (less than critical), and modular (transfer of the tanks). Significant findings are included.

Evidence for a Shared Mechanism in the Formation of Urea-Induced Kinetic and Equilibrium Intermediates of Horse Apomyoglobin from Ultrarapid Mixing Experiments.

PubMed

Mizukami, Takuya; Abe, Yukiko; Maki, Kosuke

2015-01-01

In this study, the equivalence of the kinetic mechanisms of the formation of urea-induced kinetic folding intermediates and non-native equilibrium states was investigated in apomyoglobin. Despite having similar structural properties, equilibrium and kinetic intermediates accumulate under different conditions and via different mechanisms, and it remains unknown whether their formation involves shared or distinct kinetic mechanisms. To investigate the potential mechanisms of formation, the refolding and unfolding kinetics of horse apomyoglobin were measured by continuous- and stopped-flow fluorescence over a time range from approximately 100 μs to 10 s, along with equilibrium unfolding transitions, as a function of urea concentration at pH 6.0 and 8°C. The formation of a kinetic intermediate was observed over a wider range of urea concentrations (0-2.2 M) than the formation of the native state (0-1.6 M). Additionally, the kinetic intermediate remained populated as the predominant equilibrium state under conditions where the native and unfolded states were unstable (at ~0.7-2 M urea). A continuous shift from the kinetic to the equilibrium intermediate was observed as urea concentrations increased from 0 M to ~2 M, which indicates that these states share a common kinetic folding mechanism. This finding supports the conclusion that these intermediates are equivalent. Our results in turn suggest that the regions of the protein that resist denaturant perturbations form during the earlier stages of folding, which further supports the structural equivalence of transient and equilibrium intermediates. An additional folding intermediate accumulated within ~140 μs of refolding and an unfolding intermediate accumulated in <1 ms of unfolding. Finally, by using quantitative modeling, we showed that a five-state sequential scheme appropriately describes the folding mechanism of horse apomyoglobin.

Combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility [On the combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility

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

Barraza-Botet, Cesar L.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Wooldridge, Margaret S.

Here, ethanol remains the most important alternative fuel for the transportation sector. This work presents new experimental data on ethanol ignition, including stable species measurements, obtained with the University of Michigan rapid compression facility. Ignition delay times were determined from pressure histories of ignition experiments with stoichiometric ethanol–air mixtures at pressures of ~3–10 atm. Temperatures (880–1150 K) were controlled by varying buffer gas composition (Ar, N 2, CO 2). High-speed imaging was used to record chemiluminescence during the experiments, which showed homogeneous ignition events. The results for ignition delay time agreed well with trends on the basis of previous experimentalmore » measurements. Speciation experiments were performed using fast gas sampling and gas chromatography to identify and quantify ethanol and 11 stable intermediate species formed during the ignition delay period. Simulations were carried out using a chemical kinetic mechanism available in the literature, and the agreement with the experimental results for ignition delay time and the intermediate species measured was excellent for the majority of the conditions studied. From the simulation results, ethanol + HO 2 was identified as an important reaction at the experimental conditions for both the ignition delay time and intermediate species measurements. Further studies to improve the accuracy of the rate coefficient for ethanol + HO 2 would improve the predictive understanding of intermediate and low-temperature ethanol combustion.« less

Combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility [On the combustion chemistry of ethanol: Ignition and speciation studies in a rapid compression facility

DOE PAGES

Barraza-Botet, Cesar L.; Wagnon, Scott W.; Wooldridge, Margaret S.

2016-08-31

Here, ethanol remains the most important alternative fuel for the transportation sector. This work presents new experimental data on ethanol ignition, including stable species measurements, obtained with the University of Michigan rapid compression facility. Ignition delay times were determined from pressure histories of ignition experiments with stoichiometric ethanol–air mixtures at pressures of ~3–10 atm. Temperatures (880–1150 K) were controlled by varying buffer gas composition (Ar, N 2, CO 2). High-speed imaging was used to record chemiluminescence during the experiments, which showed homogeneous ignition events. The results for ignition delay time agreed well with trends on the basis of previous experimentalmore » measurements. Speciation experiments were performed using fast gas sampling and gas chromatography to identify and quantify ethanol and 11 stable intermediate species formed during the ignition delay period. Simulations were carried out using a chemical kinetic mechanism available in the literature, and the agreement with the experimental results for ignition delay time and the intermediate species measured was excellent for the majority of the conditions studied. From the simulation results, ethanol + HO 2 was identified as an important reaction at the experimental conditions for both the ignition delay time and intermediate species measurements. Further studies to improve the accuracy of the rate coefficient for ethanol + HO 2 would improve the predictive understanding of intermediate and low-temperature ethanol combustion.« less

Revisit of pressure-induced phase transition in PbSe: Crystal structure, and thermoelastic and electrical properties

DOE PAGES

Wang, Shanmin; Zang, Chengpeng; Wang, Yongkun; ...

2015-05-04

Lead selenide, PbSe, an important lead chalcogenide semiconductor, has been investigated using in–situ high–pressure/high–temperature synchrotron x–ray diffraction and electrical resistivity measurements. For the first time, high–quality x-ray diffraction data were collected for the intermediate orthorhombic PbSe. Combined with ab initio calculations, we find a Cmcm, InI–type symmetry for the intermediate phase, which is structurally more favorable than the anti–GeS–type Pnma. At room temperature, the onset of the cubic–orthorhombic transition was observed at ~3.5 GPa with a ~3.4% volume reduction. At an elevated temperature of 1000 K, the reversed orthorhombic–to–cubic transition was observed at 6.12 GPa, indicating a positive Clapeyron slopemore » for the phase boundary. Interestingly, phase–transition induced elastic softening in PbSe was also observed, which can be mainly attributed to the loosely bonded trigonal prisms along the b–axis in the Cmcm structure. Compared with the cubic phase, orthorhombic PbSe exhibits a large negative pressure dependence of electrical resistivity. Additionally, thermoelastic properties of orthorhombic PbSe have been derived from isothermal compression data, such as temperature derivative of bulk modulus and thermally induced pressure.« less

Airfoil for a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Liang, George [Palm City, FL

2011-05-24

An airfoil is provided for a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The airfoil comprises: an outer structure comprising a first wall including a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side; an inner structure comprising a second wall spaced from the first wall and at least one intermediate wall; and structure extending between the first and second walls so as to define first and second gaps between the first and second walls. The second wall and the at least one intermediate wall define at least one pressure side supply cavity and at least one suction side supply cavity. The second wall may include at least one first opening near the leading edge of the first wall. The first opening may extend from the at least one pressure side supply cavity to the first gap. The second wall may further comprise at least one second opening near the trailing edge of the outer structure. The second opening may extend from the at least one suction side supply cavity to the second gap. The first wall may comprise at least one first exit opening extending from the first gap through the pressure side of the first wall and at least one second exit opening extending from the second gap through the suction side of the second wall.

Space suit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shepard, L. F.; Durney, G. P.; Case, M. C.; Kenneway, A. J., III; Wise, R. C.; Rinehart, D.; Bessette, R. J.; Pulling, R. C. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

A pressure suit for high altitude flights, particularly space missions is reported. The suit is designed for astronauts in the Apollo space program and may be worn both inside and outside a space vehicle, as well as on the lunar surface. It comprises an integrated assembly of inner comfort liner, intermediate pressure garment, and outer thermal protective garment with removable helmet, and gloves. The pressure garment comprises an inner convoluted sealing bladder and outer fabric restraint to which are attached a plurality of cable restraint assemblies. It provides versitility in combination with improved sealing and increased mobility for internal pressures suitable for life support in the near vacuum of outer space.

A Metal Bump Bonding Method Using Ag Nanoparticles as Intermediate Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Weixin; Nimura, Masatsugu; Kasahara, Takashi; Mimatsu, Hayata; Okada, Akiko; Shoji, Shuichi; Ishizuka, Shugo; Mizuno, Jun

2015-11-01

The future development of low-temperature and low-pressure bonding technology is necessary for fine-pitch bump application. We propose a bump structure using Ag nanoparticles as an intermediate layer coated on a fine-pitch Cu pillar bump. The intermediate layer is prepared using an efficient and cost-saving squeegee-coating method followed by a 100°C baking process. This bump structure can be easily flattened before the bonding process, and the low-temperature sinterability of the nanoparticles is retained. The bonding experiment was successfully performed at 250°C and 39.8 MPa and the bonding strength was comparable to that achieved via other bonding technology utilizing metal particles or porous material as bump materials.

An index of refraction algorithm for seawater over temperature, pressure, salinity, density, and wavelength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millard, R. C.; Seaver, G.

1990-12-01

A 27-term index of refraction algorithm for pure and sea waters has been developed using four experimental data sets of differing accuracies. They cover the range 500-700 nm in wavelength, 0-30°C in temperature, 0-40 psu in salinity, and 0-11,000 db in pressure. The index of refraction algorithm has an accuracy that varies from 0.4 ppm for pure water at atmospheric pressure to 80 ppm at high pressures, but preserves the accuracy of each original data set. This algorithm is a significant improvement over existing descriptions as it is in analytical form with a better and more carefully defined accuracy. A salinometer algorithm with the same uncertainty has been created by numerically inverting the index algorithm using the Newton-Raphson method. The 27-term index algorithm was used to generate a pseudo-data set at the sodium D wavelength (589.26 nm) from which a 6-term densitometer algorithm was constructed. The densitometer algorithm also produces salinity as an intermediate step in the salinity inversion. The densitometer residuals have a standard deviation of 0.049 kg m -3 which is not accurate enough for most oceanographic applications. However, the densitometer algorithm was used to explore the sensitivity of density from this technique to temperature and pressure uncertainties. To achieve a deep ocean densitometer of 0.001 kg m -3 accuracy would require the index of refraction to have an accuracy of 0.3 ppm, the temperature an accuracy of 0.01°C and the pressure 1 db. Our assessment of the currently available index of refraction measurements finds that only the data for fresh water at atmospheric pressure produce an algorithm satisfactory for oceanographic use (density to 0.4 ppm). The data base for the algorithm at higher pressures and various salinities requires an order of magnitude or better improvement in index measurement accuracy before the resultant density accuracy will be comparable to the currently available oceanographic algorithm.

Physics of singularities in pressure-impulse theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krechetnikov, R.

2018-05-01

The classical solution in the pressure-impulse theory for the inviscid, incompressible, and zero-surface-tension water impact of a flat plate at zero dead-rise angle exhibits both singular-in-time initial fluid acceleration, ∂v /∂ t |t =0˜δ (t ) , and a near-plate-edge spatial singularity in the velocity distribution, v ˜r-1 /2 , where r is the distance from the plate edge. The latter velocity divergence also leads to the interface being stretched infinitely right after the impact, which is another nonphysical artifact. From the point of view of matched asymptotic analysis, this classical solution is a singular limit when three physical quantities achieve limiting values: sound speed c0→∞ , fluid kinematic viscosity ν →0 , and surface tension σ →0 . This leaves open a question on how to resolve these singularities mathematically by including the neglected physical effects—compressibility, viscosity, and surface tension—first one by one and then culminating in the local compressible viscous solution valid for t →0 and r →0 , demonstrating a nontrivial flow structure that changes with the degree of the bulk compressibility. In the course of this study, by starting with the general physically relevant formulation of compressible viscous flow, we clarify the parameter range(s) of validity of the key analytical solutions including classical ones (inviscid incompressible and compressible, etc.) and understand the solution structure, its intermediate asymptotics nature, characteristics influencing physical processes, and the role of potential and rotational flow components. In particular, it is pointed out that sufficiently close to the plate edge surface tension must be taken into account. Overall, the idea is to highlight the interesting physics behind the singularities in the pressure-impulse theory.

A comparison of the reactivity of germylene and dimethylgermylene with some methylgermanes. Direct kinetic and quantum chemical studies.

PubMed

Becerra, Rosa; Boganov, Sergey E; Egorov, Mikhail P; Faustov, Valery I; Krylova, Irina V; Nefedov, Oleg M; Promyslov, Vladimir M; Walsh, Robin

2007-08-21

Time-resolved studies of germylene, GeH(2), and dimethygermylene, GeMe(2), generated by the 193 nm laser flash photolysis of appropriate precursor molecules have been carried out to try to obtain rate coefficients for their bimolecular reactions with dimethylgermane, Me(2)GeH(2), in the gas-phase. GeH(2) + Me(2)GeH(2) was studied over the pressure range 1-100 Torr with SF(6) as bath gas and at five temperatures in the range 296-553 K. Only slight pressure dependences were found (at 386, 447 and 553 K). RRKM modelling was carried out to fit these pressure dependences. The high pressure rate coefficients gave the Arrhenius parameters: log(A/cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) = -10.99 +/- 0.07 and E(a) =-(7.35 +/- 0.48) kJ mol(-1). No reaction could be found between GeMe(2) + Me(2)GeH(2) at any temperature up to 549 K, and upper limits of ca. 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) were set for the rate coefficients. A rate coefficient of (1.33 +/- 0.04) x 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) was also obtained for GeH(2) + MeGeH(3) at 296 K. No reaction was found between GeMe(2) and MeGeH(3). Rate coefficient comparisons showed, inter alia, that in the substrate germane Me-for-H substitution increased the magnitudes of rate coefficients significantly, while in the germylene Me-for-H substitution decreased the magnitudes of rate coefficients by at least four orders of magnitude. Quantum chemical calculations (G2(MP2,SVP)//B3LYP level) supported these findings and showed that the lack of reactivity of GeMe(2) is caused by a positive energy barrier for rearrangement of the initially formed complexes. Full details of the structures of intermediate complexes and the discussion of their stabilities are given in the paper.

Intermediate- and short-range order in phosphorus-selenium glasses

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

Bytchkov, Aleksei; Hennet, Louis; Price, David L.

2011-04-01

State-of-the-art neutron and x-ray diffraction measurements have been performed to provide a definitive picture of the intermediate- and short-range structures of P{sub x}Se{sub 1-x} glasses spanning two glass regions, x 0.025-0.54 and 0.64-0.84. Liquid P{sub 4}Se{sub 3} and amorphous red P and Se were also measured. Detailed information was obtained about the development with increasing phosphorous concentration of intermediate-range order on the length scale {approx}6 A ring , based on the behavior of the first sharp diffraction peak. Attention is also paid to the feature in the structure factor at 7.5 A ring {sup -1}, identified in earlier numerical simulations,more » provides further evidence of the existence of molecular units. The real-space transforms yield a reliable statistical picture of the changing short-range order as x increases, using the information about types and concentrations of local structural units provided by previous NMR measurements to interpret the trends observed.« less

Comparative analysis of compact heat exchangers for application as the intermediate heat exchanger for advanced nuclear reactors

DOE PAGES

Bartel, N.; Chen, M.; Utgikar, V. P.; ...

2015-04-04

A comparative evaluation of alternative compact heat exchanger designs for use as the intermediate heat exchanger in advanced nuclear reactor systems is presented in this article. Candidate heat exchangers investigated included the Printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) and offset strip-fin heat exchanger (OSFHE). Both these heat exchangers offer high surface area to volume ratio (a measure of compactness [m2/m3]), high thermal effectiveness, and overall low pressure drop. Helium–helium heat exchanger designs for different heat exchanger types were developed for a 600 MW thermal advanced nuclear reactor. The wavy channel PCHE with a 15° pitch angle was found to offer optimummore » combination of heat transfer coefficient, compactness and pressure drop as compared to other alternatives. The principles of the comparative analysis presented here will be useful for heat exchanger evaluations in other applications as well.« less

Comparative analysis of compact heat exchangers for application as the intermediate heat exchanger for advanced nuclear reactors

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

Bartel, N.; Chen, M.; Utgikar, V. P.

A comparative evaluation of alternative compact heat exchanger designs for use as the intermediate heat exchanger in advanced nuclear reactor systems is presented in this article. Candidate heat exchangers investigated included the Printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) and offset strip-fin heat exchanger (OSFHE). Both these heat exchangers offer high surface area to volume ratio (a measure of compactness [m2/m3]), high thermal effectiveness, and overall low pressure drop. Helium–helium heat exchanger designs for different heat exchanger types were developed for a 600 MW thermal advanced nuclear reactor. The wavy channel PCHE with a 15° pitch angle was found to offer optimummore » combination of heat transfer coefficient, compactness and pressure drop as compared to other alternatives. The principles of the comparative analysis presented here will be useful for heat exchanger evaluations in other applications as well.« less

Research on unsteady transonic flow theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Revell, J. D.

1973-01-01

A two-dimensional theory is considered for the unsteady flow disturbances caused by aeroelastic deformations of a thick wing at high subsonic freestream Mach numbers, having a single, internally embedded supercritical (locally supersonic) steady flow region adjacent to the low pressure side of the wing. The theory develops a matrix of unsteady aerodynamic influence coefficients (AICs) suitable as a strip theory for aeroelastic analysis of large aspect ratio thick wings of moderate sweep, typical of a wide class of current and future aircraft. The theory derives the linearized unsteady flow solutions separately for both the subcritical and supercritical regions. These solutions are coupled together to give the requisite (wing pressure-downwash) AICs by the intermediate step of defining flow disturbances on the sonic line, and at the shock wave; these intermediate quantities are then algebraically eliminated by expressing them in terms of the wing surface downwash.

Application of two procedures for dual-point design of transonic airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mineck, Raymond E.; Campbell, Richard L.; Allison, Dennis O.

1994-01-01

Two dual-point design procedures were developed to reduce the objective function of a baseline airfoil at two design points. The first procedure to develop a redesigned airfoil used a weighted average of the shapes of two intermediate airfoils redesigned at each of the two design points. The second procedure used a weighted average of two pressure distributions obtained from an intermediate airfoil redesigned at each of the two design points. Each procedure was used to design a new airfoil with reduced wave drag at the cruise condition without increasing the wave drag or pitching moment at the climb condition. Two cycles of the airfoil shape-averaging procedure successfully designed a new airfoil that reduced the objective function and satisfied the constraints. One cycle of the target (desired) pressure-averaging procedure was used to design two new airfoils that reduced the objective function and came close to satisfying the constraints.

Parametric study of prospective early commercial MHD power plants (PSPEC). General Electric Company, task 1: Parametric analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marston, C. H.; Alyea, F. N.; Bender, D. J.; Davis, L. K.; Dellinger, T. C.; Hnat, J. G.; Komito, E. H.; Peterson, C. A.; Rogers, D. A.; Roman, A. J.

1980-01-01

The performance and cost of moderate technology coal-fired open cycle MHD/steam power plant designs which can be expected to require a shorter development time and have a lower development cost than previously considered mature OCMHD/steam plants were determined. Three base cases were considered: an indirectly-fired high temperature air heater (HTAH) subsystem delivering air at 2700 F, fired by a state of the art atmospheric pressure gasifier, and the HTAH subsystem was deleted and oxygen enrichment was used to obtain requisite MHD combustion temperature. Coal pile to bus bar efficiencies in ease case 1 ranged from 41.4% to 42.9%, and cost of electricity (COE) was highest of the three base cases. For base case 2 the efficiency range was 42.0% to 45.6%, and COE was lowest. For base case 3 the efficiency range was 42.9% to 44.4%, and COE was intermediate. The best parametric cases in bases cases 2 and 3 are recommended for conceptual design. Eventual choice between these approaches is dependent on further evaluation of the tradeoffs among HTAH development risk, O2 plant integration, and further refinements of comparative costs.

Uncertainties in shoreline position analysis: the role of run-up and tide in a gentle slope beach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manno, Giorgio; Lo Re, Carlo; Ciraolo, Giuseppe

2017-09-01

In recent decades in the Mediterranean Sea, high anthropic pressure from increasing economic and touristic development has affected several coastal areas. Today the erosion phenomena threaten human activities and existing structures, and interdisciplinary studies are needed to better understand actual coastal dynamics. Beach evolution analysis can be conducted using GIS methodologies, such as the well-known Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), in which error assessment based on shoreline positioning plays a significant role. In this study, a new approach is proposed to estimate the positioning errors due to tide and wave run-up influence. To improve the assessment of the wave run-up uncertainty, a spectral numerical model was used to propagate waves from deep to intermediate water and a Boussinesq-type model for intermediate water up to the swash zone. Tide effects on the uncertainty of shoreline position were evaluated using data collected by a nearby tide gauge. The proposed methodology was applied to an unprotected, dissipative Sicilian beach far from harbors and subjected to intense human activities over the last 20 years. The results show wave run-up and tide errors ranging from 0.12 to 4.5 m and from 1.20 to 1.39 m, respectively.

Silicate melts density, buoyancy relations and the dynamics of magmatic processes in the upper mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez-Valle, Carmen; Malfait, Wim J.

2016-04-01

Although silicate melts comprise only a minor volume fraction of the present day Earth, they play a critical role on the Earth's geochemical and geodynamical evolution. Their physical properties, namely the density, are a key control on many magmatic processes, including magma chamber dynamics and volcanic eruptions, melt extraction from residual rocks during partial melting, as well as crystal settling and melt migration. However, the quantitative modeling of these processes has been long limited by the scarcity of data on the density and compressibility of volatile-bearing silicate melts at relevant pressure and temperature conditions. In the last decade, new experimental designs namely combining large volume presses and synchrotron-based techniques have opened the possibility for determining in situ the density of a wide range of dry and volatile-bearing (H2O and CO2) silicate melt compositions at high pressure-high temperature conditions. In this contribution we will illustrate some of these progresses with focus on recent results on the density of dry and hydrous felsic and intermediate melt compositions (rhyolite, phonolite and andesite melts) at crustal and upper mantle conditions (up to 4 GPa and 2000 K). The new data on felsic-intermediate melts has been combined with in situ data on (ultra)mafic systems and ambient pressure dilatometry and sound velocity data to calibrate a continuous, predictive density model for hydrous and CO2-bearing silicate melts with applications to magmatic processes down to the conditions of the mantle transition zone (up to 2773 K and 22 GPa). The calibration dataset consist of more than 370 density measurements on high-pressure and/or water-and CO2-bearing melts and it is formulated in terms of the partial molar properties of the oxide components. The model predicts the density of volatile-bearing liquids to within 42 kg/m3 in the calibration interval and the model extrapolations up to 3000 K and 100 GPa are in good agreement with results from ab initio calculations. The density model has been applied to examine the mineral-melt buoyancy relations at depth and the implications of these results for the dynamics of magma chambers, crystal settling and the stability and mobility of magmas in the upper mantle will be discussed.

Thermal properties and phase transition in the fluoride, (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7}

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

Kartashev, A.V.; Astafijev Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University, 660049 Krasnoyarsk; Gorev, M.V.

2016-05-15

Calorimetric, dilatometric and differential thermal analysis studies were performed on (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7} for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Large entropy (δS{sub 0}=22 J/mol K) and elastic deformation (δ(ΔV/V){sub 0}=0.89%) jumps have proven that the Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition is a strong first order structural transformation. A total entropy change of ΔS{sub 0}=32.5 J/mol K is characteristic for the order–disorder phase transition, and is equal to the sum of entropy changes in the related material, (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}TiF{sub 7}, undergoing transformation between the two cubic phases through the intermediate phases. Hydrostatic pressure decreases the stability of the highmore » temperature Pm-3m phase in (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7}, contrary to (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}TiF{sub 7}, characterised by a negative baric coefficient. The effect of experimental conditions on the chemical stability of (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7} was observed. - Graphical abstract: Strong first order structural transformation Pa-3↔Pm-3m in (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7} is associated with very large total entropy change of ΔS{sub 0}=32.5 J/mol K characteristic for the ordering processes and equal to the sum of entropy changes in the related (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}TiF{sub 7} undergoing transformation between the same two cubic phases through the intermediate phases. - Highlights: • (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7} undergoes strong first order Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition. • Anomalous behaviour of ΔC{sub p} and ΔV/V exists far below phase transition temperature. • Structural distortions are accompanied by huge total entropy change ΔS≈Rln50. • High pressure strongly increases the stability of Pa-3 phase in (NH{sub 4}){sub 3}SnF{sub 7}. • Entropy of the Pa-3↔Pm-3m phase transition does not depend on pressure.« less

Plantar Pressures After Nonoperative Treatment for Clubfoot: Intermediate Follow-up at Age 5 Years.

PubMed

Jeans, Kelly A; Erdman, Ashley L; Karol, Lori A

2017-01-01

Worldwide, a nonoperative approach in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot has been taken in an attempt to reduce the incidence of surgical outcomes. Although both the Ponseti casting (Ponseti) and the French physiotherapy (PT) methods have shown gait and pedobarograph differences at age 2 years, improved gait results have been reported by age 5 years. The purpose of this study was to assess plantar pressures in feet treated with the Ponseti versus the PT methods at this intermediate stage. Clubfoot patients treated nonoperatively (Ponseti or PT) underwent pedobarograph data collection at age 5 years. The foot was subdivided into the medial/lateral hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot regions. Variables included Peak Pressure, Maximum Force, Contact Area%, Contact Time%, Pressure Time Integral, the hindfoot-forefoot angle, and displacement of the center of pressure (COP) line. Twenty controls were used for comparison. Pedobarograph data from 164 patients (238 feet; 122 Ponseti and 116 PT) showed no significant differences between the Ponseti and the PT feet, except the PT feet had a significantly less medial movement of the COP than the Ponseti feet (P=0.0379). Compared with controls, both groups had decreased plantar pressures in the hindfoot and first metatarsal regions, whereas the midfoot and lateral forefoot experienced significant increases compared with controls. This lateralization was also reflected in the hindfoot-forefoot angle and the COP. Feet that remain nonoperative and avoid surgical intervention are considered a good clinical result. However, pedobarograph results indicate mild residual deformity in these feet despite clinically successful outcomes. Level II-therapeutic.

Effect of high pressure on the electrical resistivity of Ge-Te-In glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, K. N. N.; Varma, G. Sreevidya; Rukmani, K.; Asokan, S.

2015-06-01

The variation in the electrical resistivity of the chalcogenide glasses Ge15Te85-xInx has been studied as a function of high pressure for pressures up to 8.5GPa. All the samples studied undergo a semi-conductor to metallic transition in a continuous manner at pressures between 1.5-2.5GPa. The transition pressure at which the samples turn metallic increases with increase in percentage of Indium. This increase is a direct consequence of the increase in network rigidity with the addition of Indium. At a constant pressure of 0.5GPa, the normalized resistivity shows some signature of the existence of the intermediate phase. Samples recovered after a pressure cycle remain amorphous suggesting that the semi-conductor to metallic transition arises from a reduction of the band gap due to pressure or the movement of the Fermi level into the conduction or valence band.

High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance studies of proteins.

PubMed

Jonas, Jiri

2002-03-25

The combination of advanced high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques with high-pressure capability represents a powerful experimental tool in studies of protein folding. This review is organized as follows: after a general introduction of high-pressure, high-resolution NMR spectroscopy of proteins, the experimental part deals with instrumentation. The main section of the review is devoted to NMR studies of reversible pressure unfolding of proteins with special emphasis on pressure-assisted cold denaturation and the detection of folding intermediates. Recent studies investigating local perturbations in proteins and the experiments following the effects of point mutations on pressure stability of proteins are also discussed. Ribonuclease A, lysozyme, ubiquitin, apomyoglobin, alpha-lactalbumin and troponin C were the model proteins investigated.

Effective Wettability Measurements of CO2-Brine-Sandstone System at Different Reservoir Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Menhali, Ali; Krevor, Samuel

2014-05-01

The wetting properties of CO2-brine-rock systems will have a major impact on the management of CO2 injection processes. The wettability of a system controls the flow and trapping efficiency during the storage of CO2 in geological formations as well as the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery operations. Despite its utility in EOR and the continued development of CCS, little is currently known about the wetting properties of the CO2-brine system on reservoir rocks, and no investigations have been performed assessing the impact of these properties on CO2 flooding for CO2 storage or EOR. The wetting properties of multiphase fluid systems in porous media have major impacts on the multiphase flow properties such as the capillary pressure and relative permeability. While recent studies have shown CO2 to generally act as a non-wetting phase in siliciclastic rocks, some observations report that the contact angle varies with pressure, temperature and water salinity. Additionally, there is a wide range of reported contact angles for this system, from strongly to weakly water-wet. In the case of some minerals, intermediate wet contact angles have been observed. Uncertainty with regard to the wetting properties of CO2-brine systems is currently one of the remaining major unresolved issues with regards to reservoir management of CO2 storage. In this study, we make semi-dynamic capillary pressure measurements of supercritical CO2 and brine at reservoir conditions to observe shifts in the wetting properties. We utilize a novel core analysis technique recently developed by Pini et al in 2012 to evaluate a core-scale effective contact angle. Carbon dioxide is injected at constant flow rate into a core that is initially fully saturated with water, while maintaining a constant outlet pressure. In this scenario, the pressure drop across the core corresponds to the capillary pressure at the inlet face of the core. When compared with mercury intrusion capillary pressure measurements, core-scale effective contact angle can be determined. In addition to providing a quantitative measure of the core-averaged wetting properties, the technique allows for the observation of shifts in contact angle with changing conditions. We examine the wettability changes of the CO2-brine system in Berea sandstone with variations in reservoir conditions including supercritical, gaseous and liquid CO2injection. We evaluate wettability variation within a single rock with temperature, pressure, and salinity across a range of conditions relevant to subsurface CO2 storage. This study will include results of measurements in a Berea sandstone sample across a wide range of conditions representative of subsurface reservoirs suitable for CO2 storage (5-20 MPa, 25-90 oC, 0-5 mol kg-1). The measurement uses X-ray CT imaging in a state of the art core flooding laboratory designed to operate at high temperature, pressure, and concentrated brines.

Integrated flight/propulsion control - Adaptive engine control system mode

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yonke, W. A.; Terrell, L. A.; Meyers, L. P.

1985-01-01

The adaptive engine control system mode (ADECS) which is developed and tested on an F-15 aircraft with PW1128 engines, using the NASA sponsored highly integrated digital electronic control program, is examined. The operation of the ADECS mode, as well as the basic control logic, the avionic architecture, and the airframe/engine interface are described. By increasing engine pressure ratio (EPR) additional thrust is obtained at intermediate power and above. To modulate the amount of EPR uptrim and to prevent engine stall, information from the flight control system is used. The performance benefits, anticipated from control integration are shown for a range of flight conditions and power settings. It is found that at higher altitudes, the ADECS mode can increase thrust as much as 12 percent, which is used for improved acceleration, improved turn rate, or sustained turn angle.

High-Resolution Mapping of a Repeat Protein Folding Free Energy Landscape.

PubMed

Fossat, Martin J; Dao, Thuy P; Jenkins, Kelly; Dellarole, Mariano; Yang, Yinshan; McCallum, Scott A; Garcia, Angel E; Barrick, Doug; Roumestand, Christian; Royer, Catherine A

2016-12-06

A complete description of the pathways and mechanisms of protein folding requires a detailed structural and energetic characterization of the conformational ensemble along the entire folding reaction coordinate. Simulations can provide this level of insight for small proteins. In contrast, with the exception of hydrogen exchange, which does not monitor folding directly, experimental studies of protein folding have not yielded such structural and energetic detail. NMR can provide residue specific atomic level structural information, but its implementation in protein folding studies using chemical or temperature perturbation is problematic. Here we present a highly detailed structural and energetic map of the entire folding landscape of the leucine-rich repeat protein, pp32 (Anp32), obtained by combining pressure-dependent site-specific 1 H- 15 N HSQC data with coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The results obtained using this equilibrium approach demonstrate that the main barrier to folding of pp32 is quite broad and lies near the unfolded state, with structure apparent only in the C-terminal region. Significant deviation from two-state unfolding under pressure reveals an intermediate on the folded side of the main barrier in which the N-terminal region is disordered. A nonlinear temperature dependence of the population of this intermediate suggests a large heat capacity change associated with its formation. The combination of pressure, which favors the population of folding intermediates relative to chemical denaturants; NMR, which allows their observation; and constrained structure-based simulations yield unparalleled insight into protein folding mechanisms. Copyright © 2016 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

JPRS Report, China

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-31

inconsistent with Japan’s declared policy of opening up her markets. JPRS-CAR-87-061 31 December 1987 28 ECONOMIC 2. The "three lows "— low oil prices, the...intermediate- range warheads in Soviet Asia and the United States, respectively. But the United States and some Western European nations soon demanded...Union insisted on keeping 100 intermediate- range guided missiles in Asia while balking at the U.S. demand that it be allowed to deploy an equal

Raman Spectroscopy of Water-rich Stishovite and Dense High-Pressure Silica up to 55 GPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisr, C.; Shim, S. H.; Leinenweber, K. D.; Chizmeshya, A. V.

2017-12-01

Recent studies have shown that mineral phases such as δ-AlOOH, (Mg,Si)OOH, (Mg,Si,Al)OOH, (Al,Si)O2 and SiO2 with rutile-type or modified rutile-type crystal structures can store large amounts of water and be stable at high pressure and high temperature relevant to the Earth's lower mantle. The Al-H charge coupled substitution has been proposed to explain the large storage capacity of these phases. However, the substitution cannot explain the large water storage found in pure stishovite (Spektor et al., 2011). Instead, an octahedral version of hydrogarnet-like substitution has been proposed for the incorporation of hydrogen in pure stishovite. We have performed Raman spectroscopy measurements on pure hydrous stishovite with 3.2 wt% water up to 55 GPa. At ambient pressure, we found that the OH stretching mode frequencies range between those of low-water aluminous stishovite and δ-AlOOH, suggesting an intermediate strength of hydrogen bonding between these two phases. In the lattice mode range, we observe modes similar to the IR-active modes of anhydrous stishovite after decompression to 1 bar, suggesting Si defects in the crystal structure that activate the inactive modes. Our data show a series of changes at pressures between 24 and 28 GPa, supporting our observation of a phase transition (likely to the CaCl2 type) in X-Ray diffraction measurements (Nisr et al., 2017, JGR). We found that the OH mode of hydrous stishovite has a positive frequency shift with an increase in pressure. The behavior is the opposite to that found in δ-AlOOH, indicating that the OH incorporation mechanism in hydrous silica is different from that of aluminous low-water stishovite and δ-AlOOH, likely through direct substitution (Si ⇄ 4H+). Because the mantle hydrous phases would have complex compositions, our study suggests that the direct substitution should also be considered together with the Al substitution for the deep mantle storage of water.

Absorption machine with desorber-resorber

DOEpatents

Biermann, Wendell J.

1985-01-01

An absorption refrigeration system utilizing a low temperature desorber and intermediate temperature resorber. The system operates at three temperatures and three pressures to increase the efficiency of the system and is capable of utilizing a lower generator temperature than previously used.

Structure of carbonate melts at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudspeth, J.; Sanloup, C.; Cochain, B.; Konopkova, Z.; Afonina, V.; Morgenroth, W.

2015-12-01

Carbonate melts are rare magmas with only a single active volcano (Oldoinyo Lengai,Tanzania [1]). They are of fundamental interest for their role in the Earth's deep carbon cycle and are of immense economic importance due to their affinity for REE strategic metals (niobium, uranium, tantalum, etc). They have remarkable physical properties such as very low viscosity [2] and magmatic temperatures for alkaline carbonate lavas [3] and it has been predicted that their compressibility could be significantly higher than that of silicate melts [4,5]. Despite the atomic structure of carbonate melts being fundamental for controlling their physical and chemical behavior in natural systems, very few structural studies have been reported and these have been largely computational. Here we present initial structural investigations of carbonate melts at mantle pressures using in situ x-ray diffraction in diamond anvil cells. The structure factor S(Q) is transformed to obtain the real space pair distribution function G(R) which describes the local and intermediate range atomic ordering allowing bond length and coordination number changes with pressure to be determined. [1] Krafft and Keller, Science 245:168-170, 1989 [2] Yono et al., Nat. Commun. 5:5091, 2014 [3] Dobson et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 143:207-215, 1996 [4] Genge et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 131:225-238, 1995 [5] Jones et al., Rev. Mineral. Geochem. 75:289-322, 2013

Catalytic multi-stage process for hydroconversion and refining hydrocarbon feeds

DOEpatents

Comolli, Alfred G.; Lee, Lap-Keung

2001-01-01

A multi-stage catalytic hydrogenation and hydroconversion process for heavy hydrocarbon feed materials such as coal, heavy petroleum fractions, and plastic waste materials. In the process, the feedstock is reacted in a first-stage, back-mixed catalytic reactor with a highly dispersed iron-based catalyst having a powder, gel or liquid form. The reactor effluent is pressure-reduced, vapors and light distillate fractions are removed overhead, and the heavier liquid fraction is fed to a second stage back-mixed catalytic reactor. The first and second stage catalytic reactors are operated at 700-850.degree. F. temperature, 1000-3500 psig hydrogen partial pressure and 20-80 lb./hr per ft.sup.3 reactor space velocity. The vapor and light distillates liquid fractions removed from both the first and second stage reactor effluent streams are combined and passed to an in-line, fixed-bed catalytic hydrotreater for heteroatom removal and for producing high quality naphtha and mid-distillate or a full-range distillate product. The remaining separator bottoms liquid fractions are distilled at successive atmospheric and vacuum pressures, low and intermediate-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products are withdrawn, and heavier distillate fractions are recycled and further upgraded to provide additional low-boiling hydrocarbon liquid products. This catalytic multistage hydrogenation process provides improved flexibility for hydroprocessing the various carbonaceous feedstocks and adjusting to desired product structures and for improved economy of operations.

Design principles of a simple and safe 200-MW(thermal) nuclear district heating plant

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

Goetzmann, C.; Bittermann, D.; Gobel, A.

Kraftwerk Union AG has almost completed the development of a dedicated 200-MW(thermal) nuclear district heating plant to provide environmentally clean energy at a predictably low cost. The concept can easily be adapted to meet power requirements within the 100- to 500-MW(thermal) range. This technology is the product of the experience gained with large pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor power plants, with respect to both plant and fuel performance. The major development task is that of achieving sufficiently low capital cost by tailoring components and systems designed for large plants to the specific requirements of district heating. These requirementsmore » are small absolute power, low temperatures and pressures, and modest load following, all of which result in the characteristics that are summarized. A fully integrated primary system with natural circulation permits a very compact reactor building containing all safety-related systems and components. Plant safety is essentially guaranteed by inherent features. The reactor containment is tightly fitted around the reactor pressure vessel in such a way that, in the event of any postulated coolant leak, the core cannot become uncovered, even temporarily. Shutdown is assured by gravity drop of the control rods mounted above the core. Decay heat is removed from the core by means of natural circulation via dedicated intermediate circuits of external aircoolers.« less

Does the range of IMF affect rise and fall trend in fragmentation?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Sakshi; Kumar, Rohit; Puri, Rajeev K.

2018-05-01

We study the rise and fall behavior in the multiplicity of intermediate mass fragments produced in the asymmetric reactions of 36S+ 198Pt using isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model. We use different definitions of intermediate mass fragments according to various experimental studies. We find that the use of one or the other definition of intermediate mass fragments does not alter results significantly.

Optimal group size in a highly social mammal

PubMed Central

Markham, A. Catherine; Gesquiere, Laurence R.; Alberts, Susan C.; Altmann, Jeanne

2015-01-01

Group size is an important trait of social animals, affecting how individuals allocate time and use space, and influencing both an individual’s fitness and the collective, cooperative behaviors of the group as a whole. Here we tested predictions motivated by the ecological constraints model of group size, examining the effects of group size on ranging patterns and adult female glucocorticoid (stress hormone) concentrations in five social groups of wild baboons (Papio cynocephalus) over an 11-y period. Strikingly, we found evidence that intermediate-sized groups have energetically optimal space-use strategies; both large and small groups experience ranging disadvantages, in contrast to the commonly reported positive linear relationship between group size and home range area and daily travel distance, which depict a disadvantage only in large groups. Specifically, we observed a U-shaped relationship between group size and home range area, average daily distance traveled, evenness of space use within the home range, and glucocorticoid concentrations. We propose that a likely explanation for these U-shaped patterns is that large, socially dominant groups are constrained by within-group competition, whereas small, socially subordinate groups are constrained by between-group competition and predation pressures. Overall, our results provide testable hypotheses for evaluating group-size constraints in other group-living species, in which the costs of intra- and intergroup competition vary as a function of group size. PMID:26504236

B1-B2 phase transition mechanism and pathway of PbS under pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adeleke, Adebayo A.; Yao, Yansun

2018-03-01

Experimental studies at finite Pressure-Temperature (P-T) conditions and a theoretical study at 0 K of the phase transition in lead sulphide (PbS) have been inconclusive. Many studies that have been done to understand structural transformation in PbS can broadly be classified into two main ideological streams—one with Pnma and another with Cmcm orthorhombic intermediate phase. To foster better understanding of this phenomenon, we present the result of the first-principles study of phase transition in PbS at finite temperature. We employed the particle swarm-intelligence optimization algorithm for the 0 K structure search and first-principles metadynamics simulations to study the phase transition pathway of PbS from the ambient pressure, 0 K Fm-3m structure to the high-pressure Pm-3m phase under experimentally achievable P-T conditions. Significantly, our calculation shows that both streams are achievable under specific P-T conditions. We further uncover new tetragonal and monoclinic structures of PbS with space group P21/c and I41/amd, respectively. We propose the P21/c and I41/amd as a precursor phase to the Pnma and Cmcm phases, respectively. We investigated the stability of the new structures and found them to be dynamically stable at their stability pressure range. Electronic structure calculations reveal that both P21/c and I41/amd phases are semiconducting with direct and indirect bandgap energies of 0.69(5) eV and 0.97(3) eV, respectively. In general, both P21/c and I41/amd phases were found to be energetically competitive with their respective orthorhombic successors.

Structural changes and preferential cage occupancy of ethane hydrate and methane-ethane mixed gas hydrate under very high pressure.

PubMed

Hirai, Hisako; Takahara, Naoya; Kawamura, Taro; Yamamoto, Yoshitaka; Yagi, Takehiko

2008-12-14

High-pressure experiments of ethane hydrate and methane-ethane mixed hydrates with five compositions were performed using a diamond anvil cell in a pressure range of 0.1-2.8 GPa at room temperature. X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy showed structural changes as follows. The initial structure, structure I (sI), of ethane hydrate was retained up to 2.1 GPa without any structural change. For the mixed hydrates, sI was widely distributed throughout the region examined except for the methane-rich and lower pressure regions. For the ethane-rich and intermediate composition regions (73 mol % ethane sample and 53% sample), sI was maintained up to 2.1 GPa. With increasing methane component (34% and 30% samples), sI existed at pressures from 0.1 to about 1.0 GPa. Hexagonal structure (sH) appeared in addition to sI at 1.3 GPa for the 34% sample and at 1.1 GPa for the 30% sample. By further increasing the methane component (22% sample), structure II (sII) existed solely up to 0.3 GPa. From 0.3 to 0.6 GPa, sII and sI coexisted, and from 0.6 to 1.0 GPa only sI existed. At 1.2 GPa sH appeared, and sH and sI coexisted up to 2.1 GPa. Above 2.1 GPa, ethane hydrate and all of the mixed hydrates decomposed into ice VI and ethane fluid or methane-ethane fluid, respectively. The Raman study revealed that occupation of the small cages by ethane molecules occurred above 0.1 GPa in ethane hydrate and continued up to decomposition at 2.1 GPa, although it is thought that ethane molecules are contained only in the large cage.

Dark matter directionality revisited with a high pressure xenon gas detector

DOE PAGES

Mohlabeng, Gopolang; Kong, Kyoungchul; Li, Jin; ...

2015-07-20

An observation of the anisotropy of dark matter interactions in a direction-sensitive detector would provide decisive evidence for the discovery of galactic dark matter. Directional information would also provide a crucial input to understanding its distribution in the local Universe. Most of the existing directional dark matter detectors utilize particle tracking methods in a low-pressure gas time projection chamber. These low pressure detectors require excessively large volumes in order to be competitive in the search for physics beyond the current limit. In order to avoid these volume limitations, we consider a novel proposal, which exploits a columnar recombination effect inmore » a high-pressure gas time projection chamber. The ratio of scintillation to ionization signals observed in the detector carries the angular information of the particle interactions. In this paper, we investigate the sensitivity of a future directional detector focused on the proposed high-pressure Xenon gas time projection chamber. We study the prospect of detecting an anisotropy in the dark matter velocity distribution. We find that tens of events are needed to exclude an isotropic distribution of dark matter interactions at 95% confidence level in the most optimistic case with head-to-tail information. However, one needs at least 10-20 times more events without head-to-tail information for light dark matter below ~50 GeV. For an intermediate mass range, we find it challenging to observe an anisotropy of the dark matter distribution. Our results also show that the directional information significantly improves precision measurements of dark matter mass and the elastic scattering cross section for a heavy dark matter.« less

Interaction of poly(ethylene-glycols) with air-water interfaces and lipid monolayers: investigations on surface pressure and surface potential.

PubMed Central

Winterhalter, M; Bürner, H; Marzinka, S; Benz, R; Kasianowicz, J J

1995-01-01

We have characterized the surface activity of different-sized poly(ethylene-glycols) (PEG; M(r) 200-100,000 Da) in the presence or absence of lipid monolayers and over a wide range of bulk PEG concentrations (10(-8)-10% w/v). Measurements of the surface potential and surface pressure demonstrate that PEGs interact with the air-water and lipid-water interfaces. Without lipid, PEG added either to the subphase or to the air-water interface forms relatively stable monolayers. Except for very low molecular weight polymers (PEGs < 1000 Da), low concentrations of PEG in the subphase (between 10(-5) and 10(-4)% w/v) increase the surface potential from zero (with respect to the potential of a pure air-water interface) to a plateau value of approximately 440 mV. At much higher polymer concentrations, > 10(-1)% (w/v), depending on the molecular weight of the PEG and corresponding to the concentration at which the polymers in solution are likely to overlap, the surface potential decreases. High concentrations of PEG in the subphase cause a similar decrease in the surface potential of densely packed lipid monolayers spread from either diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), or dioleoyl phosphatidylserine (DOPS). Adding PEG as a monolayer at the air-water interface also affects the surface activity of DPhPC or DPPC monolayers. At low lipid concentration, the surface pressure and potential are determined by the polymer. For intermediate lipid concentrations, the surface pressure-area and surface potential-area isotherms show that the effects due to lipid and PEG are not always additive and that the polymer's effect is distinct for the two lipids. When PEG-lipid-mixed monolayers are compressed to surface pressures greater than the collapse pressure for a PEG monolayer, the surface pressure-area and surface potential-area isotherms approach that of the lipid alone, suggesting that for this experimental condition PEG is expelled from the interface. PMID:8534807

Understanding the mechanism of catalytic fast pyrolysis by unveiling reactive intermediates in heterogeneous catalysis

PubMed Central

Hemberger, Patrick; Custodis, Victoria B. F.; Bodi, Andras; Gerber, Thomas; van Bokhoven, Jeroen A.

2017-01-01

Catalytic fast pyrolysis is a promising way to convert lignin into fine chemicals and fuels, but current approaches lack selectivity and yield unsatisfactory conversion. Understanding the pyrolysis reaction mechanism at the molecular level may help to make this sustainable process more economic. Reactive intermediates are responsible for product branching and hold the key to unveiling these mechanisms, but are notoriously difficult to detect isomer-selectively. Here, we investigate the catalytic pyrolysis of guaiacol, a lignin model compound, using photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation, which allows for isomer-selective detection of reactive intermediates. In combination with ambient pressure pyrolysis, we identify fulvenone as the central reactive intermediate, generated by catalytic demethylation to catechol and subsequent dehydration. The fulvenone ketene is responsible for the phenol formation. This technique may open unique opportunities for isomer-resolved probing in catalysis, and holds the potential for achieving a mechanistic understanding of complex, real-life catalytic processes. PMID:28660882

The INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Controversy: A Confluence of Foreign and Domestic Interests.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

AD-R175 303 THE INF (INTERMEDIRTE-RANSE NUCLEAR FORCES) 1/2 CONTROVERSY: A CONFLUENCE OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC INTERESTS(U) NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL...on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) F:ELD I GROUP SUB-GROUP INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, NATO, European Nuclear Capability...the United Kingdom, and several non- nuclear members of 14ATO are examined and analyzed. The analysis is concerned with alliance and transnational

The phase diagrams of KCaF3 and NaMgF3 by ab initio simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jakymiw, Clément; Vočadlo, Lidunka; Dobson, David P.; Bailey, Edward; Thomson, Andrew R.; Brodholt, John P.; Wood, Ian G.; Lindsay-Scott, Alex

2018-04-01

ABF3 compounds have been found to make valuable low-pressure analogues for high-pressure silicate phases that are present in the Earth's deep interior and that may also occur in the interiors of exoplanets. The phase diagrams of two of these materials, KCaF3 and NaMgF3, have been investigated in detail by static ab initio computer simulations based on density functional theory. Six ABF3 polymorphs were considered, as follows: the orthorhombic perovskite structure (GdFeO3-type; space group Pbnm); the orthorhombic CaIrO3 structure ( Cmcm; commonly referred to as the "post-perovskite" structure); the orthorhombic Sb2S3 and La2S3 structures (both Pmcn); the hexagonal structure previously suggested in computer simulations of NaMgF3 ( P63/ mmc); the monoclinic structure found to be intermediate between the perovskite and CaIrO3 structures in CaRhO3 ( P21/ m). Volumetric and axial equations of state of all phases considered are presented. For KCaF3, as expected, the perovskite phase is shown to be the most thermodynamically stable at atmospheric pressure. With increasing pressure, the relative stability of the KCaF3 phases then follows the sequence: perovskite → La2S3 structure → Sb2S3 structure → P63/ mmc structure; the CaIrO3 structure is never the most stable form. Above about 2.6 GPa, however, none of the KCaF3 polymorphs are stable with respect to dissociation into KF and CaF2. The possibility that high-pressure KCaF3 polymorphs might exist metastably at 300 K, or might be stabilised by chemical substitution so as to occur within the standard operating range of a multi-anvil press, is briefly discussed. For NaMgF3, the transitions to the high-pressure phases occur at pressures outside the normal range of a multi-anvil press. Two different sequences of transitions had previously been suggested from computer simulations. With increasing pressure, we find that the relative stability of the NaMgF3 phases follows the sequence: perovskite → CaIrO3 structure → Sb2S3 structure → P63/ mmc structure. However, only the perovskite and CaIrO3 structures are stable with respect to dissociation into NaF and MgF2.

Pressure Ratio to Thermal Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lopez, Pedro; Wang, Winston

2012-01-01

A pressure ratio to thermal environments (PRatTlE.pl) program is a Perl language code that estimates heating at requested body point locations by scaling the heating at a reference location times a pressure ratio factor. The pressure ratio factor is the ratio of the local pressure at the reference point and the requested point from CFD (computational fluid dynamics) solutions. This innovation provides pressure ratio-based thermal environments in an automated and traceable method. Previously, the pressure ratio methodology was implemented via a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and macro scripts. PRatTlE is able to calculate heating environments for 150 body points in less than two minutes. PRatTlE is coded in Perl programming language, is command-line-driven, and has been successfully executed on both the HP and Linux platforms. It supports multiple concurrent runs. PRatTlE contains error trapping and input file format verification, which allows clear visibility into the input data structure and intermediate calculations.

Parasitoid flies exploiting acoustic communication of insects-comparative aspects of independent functional adaptations.

PubMed

Lakes-Harlan, Reinhard; Lehmann, Gerlind U C

2015-01-01

Two taxa of parasitoid Diptera have independently evolved tympanal hearing organs to locate sound producing host insects. Here we review and compare functional adaptations in both groups of parasitoids, Ormiini and Emblemasomatini. Tympanal organs in both groups originate from a common precursor organ and are somewhat similar in morphology and physiology. In terms of functional adaptations, the hearing thresholds are largely adapted to the frequency spectra of the calling song of the hosts. The large host ranges of some parasitoids indicate that their neuronal filter for the temporal patterns of the calling songs are broader than those found in intraspecific communication. For host localization the night active Ormia ochracea and the day active E. auditrix are able to locate a sound source precisely in space. For phonotaxis flight and walking phases are used, whereby O. ochracea approaches hosts during flight while E. auditrix employs intermediate landings and re-orientation, apparently separating azimuthal and vertical angles. The consequences of the parasitoid pressure are discussed for signal evolution and intraspecific communication of the host species. This natural selection pressure might have led to different avoidance strategies in the hosts: silent males in crickets, shorter signals in tettigoniids and fluctuating population abundances in cicadas.

Tuning the gate-opening pressure and particle size distribution of the switchable metal-organic framework DUT-8(Ni) by controlled nucleation in a micromixer.

PubMed

Miura, Hiroki; Bon, Volodymyr; Senkovska, Irena; Ehrling, Sebastian; Watanabe, Satoshi; Ohba, Masaaki; Kaskel, Stefan

2017-10-17

Controlled nucleation in a micromixer and further crystal growth were used to synthesize Ni 2 (2,6-ndc) 2 dabco (2,6-ndc - 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dabco - 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), also termed DUT-8(Ni) (DUT = Dresden University of Technology), with narrow particle size distribution in a range of a few nm to several μm. The crystal size was found to significantly affect the switching characteristics, in particular the gate opening pressure in nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K for this highly porous and flexible network. Below a critical size of about 500 nm, a type Ia isotherm typical of rigid MOFs is observed, while above approximately 1000 nm a pronounced gating behaviour is detected, starting at p/p 0 = 0.2. With increasing crystal size this transition gate becomes steeper indicating a more uniform distribution of activation energies within the crystal ensemble. At an intermediate size (500-1000 nm), the DUT-8(Ni) crystals close during activation but cannot be reopened by nitrogen at 77 K possibly indicating monodomain switching.

Methods for pore water extraction from unsaturated zone tuff, Yucca Mountain, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scofield, K.M.

2006-01-01

Assessing the performance of the proposed high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, requires an understanding of the chemistry of the water that moves through the host rock. The uniaxial compression method used to extract pore water from samples of tuffaceous borehole core was successful only for nonwelded tuff. An ultracentrifugation method was adopted to extract pore water from samples of the densely welded tuff of the proposed repository horizon. Tests were performed using both methods to determine the efficiency of pore water extraction and the potential effects on pore water chemistry. Test results indicate that uniaxial compression is most efficient for extracting pore water from nonwelded tuff, while ultracentrifugation is more successful in extracting pore water from densely welded tuff. Pore water splits collected from a single nonwelded tuff core during uniaxial compression tests have shown changes in pore water chemistry with increasing pressure for calcium, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate. Pore water samples collected from the intermediate pressure ranges should prevent the influence of re-dissolved, evaporative salts and the addition of ion-deficient water from clays and zeolites. Chemistry of pore water splits from welded and nonwelded tuffs using ultracentrifugation indicates that there is no substantial fractionation of solutes.

Tectonic stresses in the lithosphere: constraints provided by the experimental deformation of rocks.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kirby, S.H.

1980-01-01

The strengths of rocks clearly place an upper limit on the stress that can be sustained by the upper half of the lithosphere. Laboratory data on rock rheology are generally lacking at intermediate temperatures and pressures on the important rock types expected in the lithosphere, so a definitive accounting of the strength distribution with depth in the upper lithosphere is presently unattainable. Analogies are drawn between the fragmentary strength data on slicates at intermediate temperature and the more extensive experimental data on marble and limestone, and several tentative conclusions are drawn: First, brittle processes, such as faulting and cataclasis, are expected to control rock strength at low pressures and temperatures. The strengths associated with these brittle mechanisms increase rapidly with increasing effective pressure and are relatively insensitive to temperature and strain rate. Second, the transitions between brittle and ductile processes occur at critical values of the least principal stress sigma3. I suggest that the concept of the deformation mechanism map of Ashby (1972) be extended to brittle-ductile transitions by normalizing the applied differential stress sigma by sigma3, i.e., the transitions occur at critical values of sigma/sigma3. -from Author

Europa Lander Material Selection Considerations

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

Tappan, Alexander S.; Heller, Mellisa

2017-01-10

Energetic materials (EMs, explosives, pyrotechnics, propellants) provide high-power output of high temperature reaction products. These products can be solid, liquid, or gaseous during reaction or after the products have equilibrated with the surroundings. For example, high explosives typically consist of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen bonded within a single molecule, and produce almost exclusively gaseous products. Conversely, intermetallics consist of physical mixtures of metals and metalloids, and produce almost exclusively condensed products. Other materials such as pyrotechnics and propellants have intermediate behavior. All energetic materials react in a self-propagating manner that after ignition, does not necessarily require energy input frommore » the surroundings. The range of reaction velocities can range from mm/s for intermetallics, to km/s for high explosives. Energetic material selection depends on numerous requirements specific to the needs of a system. High explosives are used for applications where high pressure gases are necessary for pushing or fracturing materials (e.g., rock, metal) or creating shock waves or air blast. Propellants are used to produce moderate-pressure, high-temperature products without a shock wave. Pyrotechnics are used to produce numerous effects including: high-temperature products, gases, light, smoke, sound, and others. Thermites are used to produce heat, high-temperature products, materials, and other effects that require condensed products. Intermetallics are used to produce high-temperature condensed products and materials, with very little gas production. Numerous categories of energetic materials exist with overlapping definitions, effects, and properties.« less

Adakite petrogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castillo, Paterno R.

2012-03-01

Adakite was originally proposed as a genetic term to define intermediate to high-silica, high Sr/Y and La/Yb volcanic and plutonic rocks derived from melting of the basaltic portion of oceanic crust subducted beneath volcanic arcs. It was also initially believed that adakite only occurs in convergent margins where young and, thus, still hot oceanic slabs are being subducted. Currently, adakite covers a range of arc rocks ranging from primary slab melt, to slab melt hybridized by peridotite, to melt derived from peridotite metasomatized by slab melt. Adakites can occur in arc settings where unusual tectonic conditions can lower the solidi of even older slabs and their source also includes subducted sediments. Results of adakite studies have generated controversies due to (1) the specific genetic definition of adakite but its reliance on trace element chemistry for its distinguishing characteristics, (2) curious association of adakite with alkalic rocks enriched in high field-strength elements and Cu-Au mineral deposits and (3) existence of adakitic rocks produced through other petrogenetic processes. Other studies have shown that adakitic rocks and a number of the previously reported adakites are produced through melting of the lower crust or ponded basaltic magma, high pressure crystal fractionation of basaltic magma and low pressure crystal fractionation of water-rich basaltic magma plus magma mixing processes in both arc or non-arc tectonic environments. Thus, although adakite investigations enrich our understanding of material recycling and magmatic processes along convergent margins, economic deposits and crustal evolutionary processes, the term adakite should be used with extreme caution.

High-sensitivity interference-free diagnostic for measurement of methane in shock tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sur, Ritobrata; Wang, Shengkai; Sun, Kai; Davidson, David F.; Jeffries, Jay B.; Hanson, Ronald K.

2015-05-01

A sensitive CW laser absorption diagnostic for in-situ measurement of methane mole fraction at high temperatures is developed. The selected transitions for the diagnostic are a cluster of lines near 3148.8 cm-1 from the R-branch of the ν3 band of the CH4 absorption spectrum. The selected transitions have 2-3 times more sensitivity to CH4 concentration than the P-branch in the 3.3 μm region, lower interference from major interfering intermediate species in most hydrocarbon reactions, and applicability over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. Absorption cross-sections for a broad collection of hydrocarbons were simulated to evaluate interference absorption, and were generally found to be negligible near 3148.8 cm-1. However, minor interference from hot bands of C2H2 and C2H4 was observed and was characterized experimentally, revealing a weak dependence on wavelength. To eliminate such interferences, a two-color on-line and off-line measurement scheme is proposed to determine CH4 concentration. The colors selected, i.e., for on-line (3148.81 cm-1) and off-line (3148.66 cm-1), are characterized between 0.2-4 atm and 500 K-2100 K by absorption coefficient measurements in a shock tube. Minimum detectable levels of CH4 in shock tube experiments are reported for this range of temperatures and pressures. An example measurement is shown for sensitive detection of CH4 in a shock tube chemical kinetics experiment.

Pulse homodyne field disturbance sensor

DOEpatents

McEwan, Thomas E.

1997-01-01

A field disturbance sensor operates with relatively low power, provides an adjustable operating range, is not hypersensitive at close range, allows co-location of multiple sensors, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The sensor includes a transmitter that transmits a sequence of transmitted bursts of electromagnetic energy. The transmitter frequency is modulated at an intermediate frequency. The sequence of bursts has a burst repetition rate, and each burst has a burst width and comprises a number of cycles at a transmitter frequency. The sensor includes a receiver which receives electromagnetic energy at the transmitter frequency, and includes a mixer which mixes a transmitted burst with reflections of the same transmitted burst to produce an intermediate frequency signal. Circuitry, responsive to the intermediate frequency signal indicates disturbances in the sensor field. Because the mixer mixes the transmitted burst with reflections of the transmitted burst, the burst width defines the sensor range. The burst repetition rate is randomly or pseudo-randomly modulated so that bursts in the sequence of bursts have a phase which varies. A second range-defining mode transmits two radio frequency bursts, where the time spacing between the bursts defines the maximum range divided by two.

Pulse homodyne field disturbance sensor

DOEpatents

McEwan, T.E.

1997-10-28

A field disturbance sensor operates with relatively low power, provides an adjustable operating range, is not hypersensitive at close range, allows co-location of multiple sensors, and is inexpensive to manufacture. The sensor includes a transmitter that transmits a sequence of transmitted bursts of electromagnetic energy. The transmitter frequency is modulated at an intermediate frequency. The sequence of bursts has a burst repetition rate, and each burst has a burst width and comprises a number of cycles at a transmitter frequency. The sensor includes a receiver which receives electromagnetic energy at the transmitter frequency, and includes a mixer which mixes a transmitted burst with reflections of the same transmitted burst to produce an intermediate frequency signal. Circuitry, responsive to the intermediate frequency signal indicates disturbances in the sensor field. Because the mixer mixes the transmitted burst with reflections of the transmitted burst, the burst width defines the sensor range. The burst repetition rate is randomly or pseudo-randomly modulated so that bursts in the sequence of bursts have a phase which varies. A second range-defining mode transmits two radio frequency bursts, where the time spacing between the bursts defines the maximum range divided by two. 12 figs.

The changing relationship between HbA1c and FPG according to different FPG ranges.

PubMed

Guan, X; Zheng, L; Sun, G; Guo, X; Li, Y; Song, H; Tian, F; Sun, Y

2016-05-01

Since the American Diabetes Association included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the diagnostic criteria for diabetes in 2010, the clinical use of HbA1c has remained controversial. We explored the use of HbA1c for diagnosing diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia in comparison with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). We screened 3710 adult subjects (mean age = 55.24 years) comprising 1704 males and 2006 females. We drew an receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the ability of HbA1c to diagnose diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia according to FPG. We used Kappa coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient to evaluate the relationship between HbA1c and FPG in different FPG ranges. The areas under ROC curve to diagnose diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia were 0.859 (95 % CI 0.827-0.892) and 0.633 (95 % CI 0.615-0.651). The kappa coefficients between FPG and HbA1c for diagnosis of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia were 0.601 (P < 0.001) and 0.104 (P < 0.001). The Pearson's correlation coefficient of FPG and HbA1c was 0.640 (P < 0.001), but when we classified FPG as normal, intermediate hyperglycemia and diabetes, the coefficients became 0.07 (P = 0.002), 0.185 (P < 0.001) and 0.760 (P < 0.001), respectively. The relationship between HbA1c and FPG changed according to the different FPG ranges. When FPG was higher, the relationship was stronger. HbA1c and FPG were highly consistent in diagnosing diabetes, but they were not in predicting intermediate hyperglycemia.

Measurement-model comparison of stabilized Criegee intermediate and highly oxygenated molecule production in the CLOUD chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarnela, Nina; Jokinen, Tuija; Duplissy, Jonathan; Yan, Chao; Nieminen, Tuomo; Ehn, Mikael; Schobesberger, Siegfried; Heinritzi, Martin; Ehrhart, Sebastian; Lehtipalo, Katrianne; Tröstl, Jasmin; Simon, Mario; Kürten, Andreas; Leiminger, Markus; Lawler, Michael J.; Rissanen, Matti P.; Bianchi, Federico; Praplan, Arnaud P.; Hakala, Jani; Amorim, Antonio; Gonin, Marc; Hansel, Armin; Kirkby, Jasper; Dommen, Josef; Curtius, Joachim; Smith, James N.; Petäjä, Tuukka; Worsnop, Douglas R.; Kulmala, Markku; Donahue, Neil M.; Sipilä, Mikko

2018-02-01

Atmospheric oxidation is an important phenomenon which produces large quantities of low-volatility compounds such as sulfuric acid and oxidized organic compounds. Such species may be involved in the nucleation of particles and enhance their subsequent growth to reach the size of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). In this study, we investigate α-pinene, the most abundant monoterpene globally, and its oxidation products formed through ozonolysis in the Cosmic Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD) chamber at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). By scavenging hydroxyl radicals (OH) with hydrogen (H2), we were able to investigate the formation of highly oxygenated molecules (HOMs) purely driven by ozonolysis and study the oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) driven by stabilized Criegee intermediates (sCIs). We measured the concentrations of HOM and sulfuric acid with a chemical ionization atmospheric-pressure interface time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometer and compared the measured concentrations with simulated concentrations calculated with a kinetic model. We found molar yields in the range of 3.5-6.5 % for HOM formation and 22-32 % for the formation of stabilized Criegee intermediates by fitting our model to the measured sulfuric acid concentrations. The simulated time evolution of the ozonolysis products was in good agreement with measured concentrations except that in some of the experiments sulfuric acid formation was faster than simulated. In those experiments the simulated and measured concentrations met when the concentration reached a plateau but the plateau was reached 20-50 min later in the simulations. The results shown here are consistent with the recently published yields for HOM formation from different laboratory experiments. Together with the sCI yields, these results help us to understand atmospheric oxidation processes better and make the reaction parameters more comprehensive for broader use.

The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 and Incident Cognitive Impairment: The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

PubMed Central

Thacker, Evan L.; Gillett, Sarah R.; Wadley, Virginia G.; Unverzagt, Frederick W.; Judd, Suzanne E.; McClure, Leslie A.; Howard, Virginia J.; Cushman, Mary

2014-01-01

Background Life's Simple 7 is a new metric based on modifiable health behaviors and factors that the American Heart Association uses to promote improvements to cardiovascular health (CVH). We hypothesized that better Life's Simple 7 scores are associated with lower incidence of cognitive impairment. Methods and Results For this prospective cohort study, we included REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) participants aged 45+ who had normal global cognitive status at baseline and no history of stroke (N=17 761). We calculated baseline Life's Simple 7 score (range, 0 to 14) based on smoking, diet, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose. We identified incident cognitive impairment using a 3‐test measure of verbal learning, memory, and fluency obtained a mean of 4 years after baseline. Relative to the lowest tertile of Life's Simple 7 score (0 to 6 points), odds ratios of incident cognitive impairment were 0.65 (0.52, 0.81) in the middle tertile (7 to 8 points) and 0.63 (0.51, 0.79) in the highest tertile (9 to 14 points). The association was similar in blacks and whites, as well as outside and within the Southeastern stroke belt region of the United States. Conclusions Compared with low CVH, intermediate and high CVH were both associated with substantially lower incidence of cognitive impairment. We did not observe a dose‐response pattern; people with intermediate and high levels of CVH had similar incidence of cognitive impairment. This suggests that even when high CVH is not achieved, intermediate levels of CVH are preferable to low CVH. PMID:24919926

Widespread gas hydrate instability on the upper U.S. Beaufort margin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Phrampus, Benjamin J.; Hornbach, Matthew J.; Ruppel, Carolyn D.; Hart, Patrick E.

2014-01-01

The most climate-sensitive methane hydrate deposits occur on upper continental slopes at depths close to the minimum pressure and maximum temperature for gas hydrate stability. At these water depths, small perturbations in intermediate ocean water temperatures can lead to gas hydrate dissociation. The Arctic Ocean has experienced more dramatic warming than lower latitudes, but observational data have not been used to study the interplay between upper slope gas hydrates and warming ocean waters. Here we use (a) legacy seismic data that constrain upper slope gas hydrate distributions on the U.S. Beaufort Sea margin, (b) Alaskan North Slope borehole data and offshore thermal gradients determined from gas hydrate stability zone thickness to infer regional heat flow, and (c) 1088 direct measurements to characterize multidecadal intermediate ocean warming in the U.S. Beaufort Sea. Combining these data with a three-dimensional thermal model shows that the observed gas hydrate stability zone is too deep by 100 to 250 m. The disparity can be partially attributed to several processes, but the most important is the reequilibration (thinning) of gas hydrates in response to significant (~0.5°C at 2σ certainty) warming of intermediate ocean temperatures over 39 years in a depth range that brackets the upper slope extent of the gas hydrate stability zone. Even in the absence of additional ocean warming, 0.44 to 2.2 Gt of methane could be released from reequilibrating gas hydrates into the sediments underlying an area of ~5–7.5 × 103 km2 on the U.S. Beaufort Sea upper slope during the next century.

A dearth of intermediate melts at subduction zone volcanoes and the petrogenesis of arc andesites.

PubMed

Reubi, Olivier; Blundy, Jon

2009-10-29

Andesites represent a large proportion of the magmas erupted at continental arc volcanoes and are regarded as a major component in the formation of continental crust. Andesite petrogenesis is therefore fundamental in terms of both volcanic hazard and differentiation of the Earth. Andesites typically contain a significant proportion of crystals showing disequilibrium petrographic characteristics indicative of mixing or mingling between silicic and mafic magmas, which fuels a long-standing debate regarding the significance of these processes in andesite petrogenesis and ultimately questions the abundance of true liquids with andesitic composition. Central to this debate is the distinction between liquids (or melts) and magmas, mixtures of liquids with crystals, which may or may not be co-genetic. With this distinction comes the realization that bulk-rock chemical analyses of petrologically complex andesites can lead to a blurred picture of the fundamental processes behind arc magmatism. Here we present an alternative view of andesite petrogenesis, based on a review of quenched glassy melt inclusions trapped in phenocrysts, whole-rock chemistry, and high-pressure and high-temperature experiments. We argue that true liquids of intermediate composition (59 to 66 wt% SiO(2)) are far less common in the sub-volcanic reservoirs of arc volcanoes than is suggested by the abundance of erupted magma within this compositional range. Effective mingling within upper crustal magmatic reservoirs obscures a compositional bimodality of melts ascending from the lower crust, and masks the fundamental role of silicic melts (>/=66 wt% SiO(2)) beneath intermediate arc volcanoes. This alternative view resolves several puzzling aspects of arc volcanism and provides important clues to the integration of plutonic and volcanic records.

Intermediate selectivity in the oxidation of phenols using plasmonic Au/ZnO photocatalysts

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

Lin, Feng; Cojocaru, Bogdan E.; Williams, Luke S.

Tunable reaction selectivity on a single catalyst is a continual goal in chemical syntheses. Herein, we report an unexpected light-directed intermediate selectivity using well-known plasmonic photocatalysts. We observed distinct intermediate selectivity behaviors between using UV and visible light irradiations. Chemical computations and quenching experiments suggest that the radicals generated by the plasmonic excitation govern the light-directed selectivity. As a result, the broader impact of this work ranges from selective yield of desirable intermediates for subsequent syntheses without tedious separation procedures, to arousing interest in examining new opportunities for plasmonic photocatalysts.

Intermediate selectivity in the oxidation of phenols using plasmonic Au/ZnO photocatalysts

DOE PAGES

Lin, Feng; Cojocaru, Bogdan E.; Williams, Luke S.; ...

2017-06-20

Tunable reaction selectivity on a single catalyst is a continual goal in chemical syntheses. Herein, we report an unexpected light-directed intermediate selectivity using well-known plasmonic photocatalysts. We observed distinct intermediate selectivity behaviors between using UV and visible light irradiations. Chemical computations and quenching experiments suggest that the radicals generated by the plasmonic excitation govern the light-directed selectivity. As a result, the broader impact of this work ranges from selective yield of desirable intermediates for subsequent syntheses without tedious separation procedures, to arousing interest in examining new opportunities for plasmonic photocatalysts.

Evidence for a Shared Mechanism in the Formation of Urea-Induced Kinetic and Equilibrium Intermediates of Horse Apomyoglobin from Ultrarapid Mixing Experiments

PubMed Central

Mizukami, Takuya; Abe, Yukiko; Maki, Kosuke

2015-01-01

In this study, the equivalence of the kinetic mechanisms of the formation of urea-induced kinetic folding intermediates and non-native equilibrium states was investigated in apomyoglobin. Despite having similar structural properties, equilibrium and kinetic intermediates accumulate under different conditions and via different mechanisms, and it remains unknown whether their formation involves shared or distinct kinetic mechanisms. To investigate the potential mechanisms of formation, the refolding and unfolding kinetics of horse apomyoglobin were measured by continuous- and stopped-flow fluorescence over a time range from approximately 100 μs to 10 s, along with equilibrium unfolding transitions, as a function of urea concentration at pH 6.0 and 8°C. The formation of a kinetic intermediate was observed over a wider range of urea concentrations (0–2.2 M) than the formation of the native state (0–1.6 M). Additionally, the kinetic intermediate remained populated as the predominant equilibrium state under conditions where the native and unfolded states were unstable (at ~0.7–2 M urea). A continuous shift from the kinetic to the equilibrium intermediate was observed as urea concentrations increased from 0 M to ~2 M, which indicates that these states share a common kinetic folding mechanism. This finding supports the conclusion that these intermediates are equivalent. Our results in turn suggest that the regions of the protein that resist denaturant perturbations form during the earlier stages of folding, which further supports the structural equivalence of transient and equilibrium intermediates. An additional folding intermediate accumulated within ~140 μs of refolding and an unfolding intermediate accumulated in <1 ms of unfolding. Finally, by using quantitative modeling, we showed that a five-state sequential scheme appropriately describes the folding mechanism of horse apomyoglobin. PMID:26244984

Method for ambiguity resolution in range-Doppler measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heymsfield, Gerald M. (Inventor); Miller, Lee S. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A method for resolving range and Doppler target ambiguities when the target has substantial range or has a high relative velocity in which a first signal is generated and a second signal is also generated which is coherent with the first signal but at a slightly different frequency such that there exists a difference in frequency between these two signals of Delta f(sub t). The first and second signals are converted into a dual-frequency pulsed signal, amplified, and the dual-frequency pulsed signal is transmitted towards a target. A reflected dual-frequency signal is received from the target, amplified, and changed to an intermediate dual-frequency signal. The intermediate dual-frequency signal is amplified, with extracting of a shifted difference frequency Delta f(sub r) from the amplified intermediate dual-frequency signal done by a nonlinear detector. The final step is generating two quadrature signals from the difference frequency Delta f(sub t) and the shifted difference frequency Delta f(sub r) and processing the two quadrature signals to determine range and Doppler information of the target.

Ionization of EPA Contaminants in Direct and Dopant-Assisted Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization and Atmospheric Pressure Laser Ionization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kauppila, Tiina J.; Kersten, Hendrik; Benter, Thorsten

2015-06-01

Seventy-seven EPA priority environmental pollutants were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with an optimized atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) and an atmospheric pressure laser ionization (APLI) interface with and without dopants. The analyzed compounds included e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro compounds, halogenated compounds, aromatic compounds with phenolic, acidic, alcohol, and amino groups, phthalate and adipatic esters, and aliphatic ethers. Toluene, anisole, chlorobenzene, and acetone were tested as dopants. The widest range of analytes was ionized using direct APPI (66/77 compounds). The introduction of dopants decreased the amount of compounds ionized in APPI (e.g., 54/77 with toluene), but in many cases the ionization efficiency increased. While in direct APPI the formation of molecular ions via photoionization was the main ionization reaction, dopant-assisted (DA) APPI promoted ionization reactions, such as charge exchange and proton transfer. Direct APLI ionized a much smaller amount of compounds than APPI (41/77 compounds), showing selectivity towards compounds with low ionization energies (IEs) and long-lived resonantly excited intermediate states. DA-APLI, however, was able to ionize a higher amount of compounds (e.g. 51/77 with toluene), as the ionization took place entirely through dopant-assisted ion/molecule reactions similar to those in DA-APPI. Best ionization efficiency in APPI and APLI (both direct and DA) was obtained for PAHs and aromatics with O- and N-functionalities, whereas nitro compounds and aliphatic ethers were the most difficult to ionize. Halogenated aromatics and esters were (mainly) ionized in APPI, but not in APLI.

Geophysical Tests for Intermediate-Range Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-11-01

34Feeble intermediate-range Gravitation, 1989, 154. Topics: AG,T, A forces from higher dimensions", Physical Review 60. Bell J. S., Perring J. K., ൝r...M., 134 Bell J. S., 60, 61 Coleman R., 389 Beltran-Lopez V., 359 Cabibbo N., 64 Coleman R. A ., 135 Bender P. L., 540 Calafiura P., 106 Cook A . H...of Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz., Selen M. A ., Shoemaker F. C., Smith A . J. S., 1985,88, 1946-1949.] Topics: SD,E,+ Blackmore E. W., Bryman D. A ., Felawka L

Composition and methods for improved fuel production

DOEpatents

Steele, Philip H.; Tanneru, Sathishkumar; Gajjela, Sanjeev K.

2015-12-29

Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to produce boiler and transportation fuels. A first phase of the method may include oxidation and/or hyper-acidification of bio-oil to produce an intermediate product. A second phase of the method may include catalytic deoxygenation, esterification, or olefination/esterification of the intermediate product under pressurized syngas. The composition of the resulting product--e.g., a boiler fuel--produced by these methods may be used directly or further upgraded to a transportation fuel. Certain embodiments of the present invention also include catalytic compositions configured for use in the method embodiments.

Intermediate and Long-term Outcomes of Mitomycin C-enhanced Trabeculectomy as a First Glaucoma Procedure in Uveitic Glaucoma.

PubMed

Almobarak, Faisal A; Alharbi, Ali H; Morales, Jose; Aljadaan, Ibrahim

2017-05-01

To evaluate the intermediate and long-term outcomes of mitomycin C-enhanced trabeculectomy as a first glaucoma procedure in uveitic glaucoma. Retrospective cohort study included 70 eyes of 50 patients with uveitic glaucoma who underwent mitomycin C-enhanced trabeculectomy as a first glaucoma procedure at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 1996 and 2014. The main outcome measures were: the intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, the presence of visually threatening complications, and the need for further surgeries to control the IOP. Surgical outcome of each eye was classified as an absolute success, qualified success, or failure, based on the main outcome measures. The mean follow-up period was 77.0 months (±40.9). The IOP and number of antiglaucoma medications decreased significantly from a mean of 39.5 mm Hg (±8.9) and 3.7 (±0.8) to 14.4 mm Hg (±6.9) and 1 (±1.3) at the last follow-up, respectively (P<0.001 for both). The cumulative probabilities of success were 60% and 35.7% at 36 and 60 months postoperatively, respectively. The most common complications were cataract development and progression (45.3%), hypotony (IOP ≤5 mm Hg) (30%) and IOP spike≥30 mm Hg (10%). Eighteen eyes (25.7%) needed a second procedure to control the IOP. Although mitomycin C-enhanced trabeculectomy offers reasonable intermediate and long-term IOP control and safety in uveitic glaucoma, a significant number of patients needed further procedures to control the pressure. Thus, continuous monitoring of the pressure and inflammation are crucial.

Global direct pressures on biodiversity by large-scale metal mining: Spatial distribution and implications for conservation.

PubMed

Murguía, Diego I; Bringezu, Stefan; Schaldach, Rüdiger

2016-09-15

Biodiversity loss is widely recognized as a serious global environmental change process. While large-scale metal mining activities do not belong to the top drivers of such change, these operations exert or may intensify pressures on biodiversity by adversely changing habitats, directly and indirectly, at local and regional scales. So far, analyses of global spatial dynamics of mining and its burden on biodiversity focused on the overlap between mines and protected areas or areas of high value for conservation. However, it is less clear how operating metal mines are globally exerting pressure on zones of different biodiversity richness; a similar gap exists for unmined but known mineral deposits. By using vascular plants' diversity as a proxy to quantify overall biodiversity, this study provides a first examination of the global spatial distribution of mines and deposits for five key metals across different biodiversity zones. The results indicate that mines and deposits are not randomly distributed, but concentrated within intermediate and high diversity zones, especially bauxite and silver. In contrast, iron, gold, and copper mines and deposits are closer to a more proportional distribution while showing a high concentration in the intermediate biodiversity zone. Considering the five metals together, 63% and 61% of available mines and deposits, respectively, are located in intermediate diversity zones, comprising 52% of the global land terrestrial surface. 23% of mines and 20% of ore deposits are located in areas of high plant diversity, covering 17% of the land. 13% of mines and 19% of deposits are in areas of low plant diversity, comprising 31% of the land surface. Thus, there seems to be potential for opening new mines in areas of low biodiversity in the future. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytoplasmic peptidoglycan intermediate levels in Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Vemula, Harika; Ayon, Navid J; Gutheil, William G

2016-02-01

Intracellular cytoplasmic peptidoglycan (PG) intermediate levels were determined in Staphylococcus aureus during log-phase growth in enriched media. Levels of UDP-linked intermediates were quantitatively determined using ion pairing LC-MS/MS in negative mode, and amine intermediates were quantitatively determined stereospecifically as their Marfey's reagent derivatives in positive mode. Levels of UDP-linked intermediates in S. aureus varied from 1.4 μM for UDP-GlcNAc-Enolpyruvyate to 1200 μM for UDP-MurNAc. Levels of amine intermediates (L-Ala, D-Ala, D-Ala-D-Ala, L-Glu, D-Glu, and L-Lys) varied over a range of from 860 μM for D-Ala-D-Ala to 30-260 mM for the others. Total PG was determined from the D-Glu content of isolated PG, and used to estimate the rate of PG synthesis (in terms of cytoplasmic metabolite flux) as 690 μM/min. The total UDP-linked intermediates pool (2490 μM) is therefore sufficient to sustain growth for 3.6 min. Comparison of UDP-linked metabolite levels with published pathway enzyme characteristics demonstrates that enzymes on the UDP-branch range from >80% saturation for MurA, Z, and C, to <5% saturation for MurB. Metabolite levels were compared with literature values for Escherichia coli, with the major difference in UDP-intermediates being the level of UDP-MurNAc, which was high in S. aureus (1200 μM) and low in E. coli (45 μM). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.

Fundamental Interactions in Gasoline Compression Ignition Engines with Fuel Stratification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolk, Benjamin Matthew

Transportation accounted for 28% of the total U.S. energy demand in 2011, with 93% of U.S. transportation energy coming from petroleum. The large impact of the transportation sector on global climate change necessitates more-efficient, cleaner-burning internal combustion engine operating strategies. One such strategy that has received substantial research attention in the last decade is Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). Although the efficiency and emissions benefits of HCCI are well established, practical limits on the operating range of HCCI engines have inhibited their application in consumer vehicles. One such limit is at high load, where the pressure rise rate in the combustion chamber becomes excessively large. Fuel stratification is a potential strategy for reducing the maximum pressure rise rate in HCCI engines. The aim is to introduce reactivity gradients through fuel stratification to promote sequential auto-ignition rather than a bulk-ignition, as in the homogeneous case. A gasoline-fueled compression ignition engine with fuel stratification is termed a Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) engine. Although a reasonable amount of experimental research has been performed for fuel stratification in GCI engines, a clear understanding of how the fundamental in-cylinder processes of fuel spray evaporation, mixing, and heat release contribute to the observed phenomena is lacking. Of particular interest is gasoline's pressure sensitive low-temperature chemistry and how it impacts the sequential auto-ignition of the stratified charge. In order to computationally study GCI with fuel stratification using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and chemical kinetics, two reduced mechanisms have been developed. The reduced mechanisms were developed from a large, detailed mechanism with about 1400 species for a 4-component gasoline surrogate. The two versions of the reduced mechanism developed in this work are: (1) a 96-species version and (2) a 98-species version including nitric oxide formation reactions. Development of reduced mechanisms is necessary because the detailed mechanism is computationally prohibitive in three-dimensional CFD and chemical kinetics simulations. Simulations of Partial Fuel Stratification (PFS), a GCI strategy, have been performed using CONVERGE with the 96-species reduced mechanism developed in this work for a 4-component gasoline surrogate. Comparison is made to experimental data from the Sandia HCCI/GCI engine at a compression ratio 14:1 at intake pressures of 1 bar and 2 bar. Analysis of the heat release and temperature in the different equivalence ratio regions reveals that sequential auto-ignition of the stratified charge occurs in order of increasing equivalence ratio for 1 bar intake pressure and in order of decreasing equivalence ratio for 2 bar intake pressure. Increased low- and intermediate-temperature heat release with increasing equivalence ratio at 2 bar intake pressure compensates for decreased temperatures in higher-equivalence ratio regions due to evaporative cooling from the liquid fuel spray and decreased compression heating from lower values of the ratio of specific heats. The presence of low- and intermediate-temperature heat release at 2 bar intake pressure alters the temperature distribution of the mixture stratification before hot-ignition, promoting the desired sequential auto-ignition. At 1 bar intake pressure, the sequential auto-ignition occurs in the reverse order compared to 2 bar intake pressure and too fast for useful reduction of the maximum pressure rise rate compared to HCCI. Additionally, the premixed portion of the charge auto-ignites before the highest-equivalence ratio regions. Conversely, at 2 bar intake pressure, the premixed portion of the charge auto-ignites last, after the higher-equivalence ratio regions. More importantly, the sequential auto-ignition occurs over a longer time period for 2 bar intake pressure than at 1 bar intake pressure such that a sizable reduction in the maximum pressure rise rate compared to HCCI can be achieved.

40 CFR 141.66 - Maximum contaminant levels for radionuclides.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... quality range andconsiderations. 1 1. Ion exchange (IE) (a) Intermediate All ground waters. 2. Point of.... Lime softening (d) Advanced All waters. 6. Green sand filtration (e) Basic. 7. Co-precipitation with Barium sulfate (f) Intermediate to Advanced Ground waters with suitable water quality. 8. Electrodialysis...

A promiscuous intermediate underlies the evolution of LEAFY DNA binding specificity.

PubMed

Sayou, Camille; Monniaux, Marie; Nanao, Max H; Moyroud, Edwige; Brockington, Samuel F; Thévenon, Emmanuel; Chahtane, Hicham; Warthmann, Norman; Melkonian, Michael; Zhang, Yong; Wong, Gane Ka-Shu; Weigel, Detlef; Parcy, François; Dumas, Renaud

2014-02-07

Transcription factors (TFs) are key players in evolution. Changes affecting their function can yield novel life forms but may also have deleterious effects. Consequently, gene duplication events that release one gene copy from selective pressure are thought to be the common mechanism by which TFs acquire new activities. Here, we show that LEAFY, a major regulator of flower development and cell division in land plants, underwent changes to its DNA binding specificity, even though plant genomes generally contain a single copy of the LEAFY gene. We examined how these changes occurred at the structural level and identify an intermediate LEAFY form in hornworts that appears to adopt all different specificities. This promiscuous intermediate could have smoothed the evolutionary transitions, thereby allowing LEAFY to evolve new binding specificities while remaining a single-copy gene.

High-pressure high-temperature stability of hcp-Ir xOs 1-x (x = 0.50 and 0.55) alloys

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

Yusenko, Kirill V.; Bykova, Elena; Bykov, Maxim

2016-12-23

Hcp-Ir 0.55Os 0.45 and hcp-Ir 0.50Os 0.50 alloys were synthesised by thermal decomposition of single-source precursors in hydrogen atmosphere. Both alloys correspond to a miscibility gap in the Ir–Os binary phase diagram and therefore are metastable at ambient conditions. An in situ powder X-ray diffraction has been used for a monitoring a formation of hcp-Ir0.55Os0.45 alloy from (NH 4) 2[Ir 0.55Os 0.45Cl 6] precursor. A crystalline intermediate compound and nanodimentional metallic particles with a large concentration of defects has been found as key intermediates in the thermal decomposition process in hydrogen flow. High-temperature stability of titled hcp-structured alloys has beenmore » investigated upon compression up to 11 GPa using a multi-anvil press and up to 80 GPa using laser-heated diamond-anvil cells to obtain a phase separation into fcc + hcp mixture. Compressibility curves at room temperature as well as thermal expansion at ambient pressure and under compression up to 80 GPa were collected to obtain thermal expansion coefficients and bulk moduli. hcp-Ir 0.55Os 0.45 alloy shows bulk moduli B0 = 395 GPa. Thermal expansion coefficients were estimated as α = 1.6·10 -5 K -1 at ambient pressure and α = 0.3·10 -5 K -1 at 80 GPa. Obtained high-pressure high-temperature data allowed us to construct the first model for pressure-dependent Ir–Os phase diagram.« less

Adavanced RTG and thermoelectric materials study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eggers, P. E.

1971-01-01

A comprehensive, generalized two-dimensional RTG analysis computer program was developed. This program is capable of analyzing any specified RTG design under a wide range of transient as well as steady-state operating conditions. The feasibility of a new concept for the design of segmented (or single-phase) thermoelectric couples was demonstrated. A SiGe-PbTe segmented couple involving pressure contacted junctions at the intermediate- and hot-junction temperatures was successfully encapsulated in a hermetically sealed bellows enclosure. This bellows-encapsulated couple was operated between a hot- and cold-junction temperature of 1200 K and 450 K, respectively, with a measured energy conversion efficiency of 7.6 + or - .5 per cent. An experimental study of selected sublimation barrier schemes revealed that a significant reduction in the sublimation rate of p-type PbTe could be achieved by using multiple layers of SiO2 fibers. A comparison of the barrier effectiveness is given for three different barrier designs.

Role of distortion in the hcp vs fcc competition in rare-gas solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krainyukova, N. V.

2011-05-01

As a prototype of an initial or intermediate structure between hcp and fcc lattices we consider a distorted bcc crystal. We calculate the temperature and pressure dependences of the lattice parameters for the heavier rare gas solids Ar, Kr, Xe in a quasiharmonic approximation with Aziz potentials, and confirm earlier predictions that the hcp structure predominates over fcc in the bulk within wide ranges of P and T. The situation is different for confined clusters with up to 105 atoms, where, owing to the specific surface energetics and terminations, structures with five-fold symmetry made up of fcc fragments are dominant. As a next step we consider the free relaxation of differently distorted bcc clusters, and show that two types (monoclinic and orthorhombic) of initial distortion are a driving force for the final hcp vs fcc configurations. Possible energy relationships between the initial and final structures are obtained and analyzed.

Application of FT-IR Classification Method in Silica-Plant Extracts Composites Quality Testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bicu, A.; Drumea, V.; Mihaiescu, D. E.; Purcareanu, B.; Florea, M. A.; Trică, B.; Vasilievici, G.; Draga, S.; Buse, E.; Olariu, L.

2018-06-01

Our present work is concerned with the validation and quality testing efforts of mesoporous silica - plant extracts composites, in order to sustain the standardization process of plant-based pharmaceutical products. The synthesis of the silica support were performed by using a TEOS based synthetic route and CTAB as a template, at room temperature and normal pressure. The silica support was analyzed by advanced characterization methods (SEM, TEM, BET, DLS and FT-IR), and loaded with Calendula officinalis and Salvia officinalis standardized extracts. Further desorption studies were performed in order to prove the sustained release properties of the final materials. Intermediate and final product identification was performed by a FT-IR classification method, using the MID-range of the IR spectra, and statistical representative samples from repetitive synthetic stages. The obtained results recommend this analytical method as a fast and cost effective alternative to the classic identification methods.

Low-Temperature Hydrocarbon Photochemistry: CH3 + CH3 Recombination in Giant Planet Atmospheres

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Gregory P.; Huestis, David L.

2002-01-01

Planetary emissions of the methyl radical CH3 were observed for the first time in 1998 on Saturn and Neptune by the ISO (Infrared Space Observatory) mission satellite. CH3 is produced by VUV photolysis of CH4 and is the key photochemical intermediate leading complex organic molecules on the giant planets and moons. The CH3 emissions from Saturn were unexpectedly weak. A suggested remedy is to increase the rate of the recombination reaction CH3 + CH3 + H2 --> C2H6 + H2 at 140 K to a value at least 10 times that measured at room temperature in rare gases, but within the range of disagreeing theoretical expressions at low temperature. We are performing laboratory experiments at low temperature and very low pressure. The experiments are supported by RRKM theoretical modeling that is calibrated using the extensive combustion literature.

The antibiotic resistome: gene flow in environments, animals and human beings.

PubMed

Hu, Yongfei; Gao, George F; Zhu, Baoli

2017-06-01

The antibiotic resistance is natural in bacteria and predates the human use of antibiotics. Numerous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been discovered to confer resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. The ARGs in natural environments are highly integrated and tightly regulated in specific bacterial metabolic networks. However, the antibiotic selection pressure conferred by the use of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture practice leads to a significant increase of antibiotic resistance and a steady accumulation of ARGs in bacteria. In this review, we summarized, with an emphasis on an ecological point of view, the important research progress regarding the collective ARGs (antibiotic resistome) in bacterial communities of natural environments, human and animals, i.e., in the one health settings.We propose that the resistance gene flow in nature is "from the natural environments" and "to the natural environments"; human and animals, as intermediate recipients and disseminators, contribute greatly to such a resistance gene "circulation."

Characterization of the CO2 fluid adsorption in coal as a function of pressure using neutron scattering techniques (SANS and USANS)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Melnichenko, Y.B.; Radlinski, A.P.; Mastalerz, Maria; Cheng, G.; Rupp, J.

2009-01-01

Small angle neutron scattering techniques have been applied to investigate the phase behavior of CO2 injected into coal and possible changes in the coal pore structure that may result from this injection. Three coals were selected for this study: the Seelyville coal from the Illinois Basin (Ro = 0.53%), Baralaba coal from the Bowen Basin (Ro = 0.67%), and Bulli 4 coal from the Sydney Basin (Ro = 1.42%). The coals were selected from different depths to represent the range of the underground CO2 conditions (from subcritical to supercritical) which may be realized in the deep subsurface environment. The experiments were conducted in a high pressure cell and CO2 was injected under a range of pressure conditions, including those corresponding to in-situ hydrostatic subsurface conditions for each coal. Our experiments indicate that the porous matrix of all coals remains essentially unchanged after exposure to CO2 at pressures up to 200??bar (1??bar = 105??Pa). Each coal responds differently to the CO2 exposure and this response appears to be different in pores of various sizes within the same coal. For the Seelyville coal at reservoir conditions (16????C, 50??bar), CO2 condenses from a gas into liquid, which leads to increased average fluid density in the pores (??pore) with sizes (r) 1 ?? 105 ??? r ??? 1 ?? 104???? (??pore ??? 0.489??g/cm3) as well as in small pores with size between 30 and 300???? (??pore ??? 0.671??g/cm3). These values are by a factor of three to four higher than the density of bulk CO2 (??CO2) under similar thermodynamic conditions (??CO2 ??? 0.15??g/cm3). At the same time, in the intermediate size pores with r ??? 1000???? the average fluid density is similar to the density of bulk fluid, which indicates that adsorption does not occur in these pores. At in situ conditions for the Baralaba coal (35 OC, 100??bar), the average fluid density of CO2 in all pores is lower than that of the bulk fluid (??pore / ??CO2 ??? 0.6). Neutron scattering from the Bulli 4 coal did not show any significant variation with pressure, a phenomenon which we assign to the extremely small amount of porosity of this coal in the pore size range between 35 and 100,000????. ?? 2008 Elsevier B.V.

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

Dagle, Robert A.; Lizarazo Adarme, Jair A.; Lebarbier, Vanessa MC

A composite Pd/ZnO/Al2O3-HZSM-5 (Si/Al=40) catalytic system was evaluated for the synthesis of gasoline-range hydrocarbons directly from synthesis gas. Bifunctional catalyst comprising PdZn metal and acid sites present the required catalytically active sites necessary for the methanol synthesis, methanol dehydration, and methanol-to-gasoline reactions. This system provides a unique catalytic pathway for the production of liquid hydrocarbons directly from syngas. However, selectivity control is difficult and poses many challenges. The composite catalytic system was evaluated under various process conditions. Investigated were the effects of temperature (310-375oC), pressure (300-1000 psig), time-on-stream (50 hrs), and gas-hour space velocity (740-2970 hr-1), using a H2/CO molarmore » syngas ratio of 2.0. By operating at the lower end of the temperature range investigated, liquid hydrocarbon formation was favored, as was decreased amounts of undesirable light hydrocarbons. However, lower operating temperatures also facilitated undesirable CO2 formation via the water-gas shift reaction. Higher operating pressures slightly favored liquid synthesis. Operating at relatively low pressures (e.g. 300 psig) was made possible, whereas for methanol synthesis alone higher pressure are usually required to achieve similar conversion levels (e.g. 1000 psig). Thermodynamic constraints on methanol synthesis are eased by pushing the equilibrium through hydrocarbon formation. Catalytic performance was also evaluated by altering Pd and Zn composition of the Pd/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. Of the catalysts and conditions tested, selectivity toward liquid hydrocarbon was highest when using a 5% Pd metal loading and Pd/Zn molar ratio of 0.25 and mixed with HZMS-5, operating at 310oC and 300 psig, CO conversion was 43 % and selectivity (carbon weight basis) to hydrocarbons was 49 wt. %. Of the hydrocarbon fraction, 44wt. % was in the C5-C12 liquid product range and consisted primarily of aromatic polymethylbenzenes. However, as syngas conversion increases with increasing temperature, selectivity to liquid product diminished. This is attributed, in large part, to increased saturation of the olefinic intermediates over PdZn metal sites. Under all the conditions and catalysts evaluated in this study, generating liquid product in high yield was challenging (<10 wt. % C5+ yield).« less

Meso- and micropore characteristics of coal lithotypes: Implications for CO2 adsorption

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mastalerz, Maria; Drobniak, A.; Rupp, J.

2008-01-01

Lithotypes (vitrain, clarain, and fusain) of high volatile bituminous Pennsylvanian coals (Ro of 0.56-0.62%) from Indiana (the Illinois Basin) have been studied with regard to meso- and micropore characteristics using low-pressure nitrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption techniques, respectively. High-pressure CO2 adsorption isotherms were obtained from lithotypes of the Lower Block Coal Member (the Brazil Formation) and the Springfield Coal Member (the Petersburg Formation), and after evacuation of CO2, the lithotypes were re-analyzed for meso- and micropore characteristics to investigate changes related to high-pressure CO2 adsorption. Coal lithotypes have differing Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas and mesopore volumes, with significantly lower values in fusains than in vitrains or clarains. Fusains have very limited pore volume in the pore size width of 4-10 nm, and the volume, increases with an increase in pore size, in contrast to vitrain, for which a 4-10 nm range is the dominant pore'Wlidth. For clarain, both pores of 4-10 nm and pores larger than 20 nm contribute substantially to the mesoporosity. Micropore surface areas are the smallest for fusain (from 72.8 to 98.2 m2/g), largest for vitrain (from 125.0 to,158.4 m2 /g), and intermediate for clarain (from 110.5 to 124.4 m2/g). Similar relationships are noted for micropore volumes, and the lower values of these parameters in fusains are related to smaller volumes of all incremental micropore sizes. In the Springfield and the Lower Block Coal Members, among lithotypes studied, fusain has the lowest adsorption capacity. For the Lower Block, vitrain has significantly higher adsorption capacity than fusain and clarain, whereas for the Springfield, vitrain and clarain have comparable but still significantly higher adsorption capacities than fusain. The Lower Block vitrain and fusain have much higher adsorption capacities than those in the Springfield, whereas the clarains of the two coals are comparable. After exposure of coal to CO2 at high pressure, vitrains experienced the largest porosity changes among all lithotypes studied. These changes are dominantly manifested in the mesoporosity (decrease in mesopore volume) range; whereas little to no change occurred in the micropore size range. In other lithotypes (clarains, the dominant lithology in the coals studied, and sporadic fusains), the changes were minimal. ?? 2008 American Chemical Society.

Elevated temperature tensile properties of P9 steel towards ferritic steel wrapper development for sodium cooled fast reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, B. K.; Mathew, M. D.; Isaac Samuel, E.; Christopher, J.; Jayakumar, T.

2013-11-01

Tensile deformation and fracture behaviour of the three developmental heats of P9 steel for wrapper applications containing varying silicon in the range 0.24-0.60% have been examined in the temperature range 300-873 K. Yield and ultimate tensile strengths in all the three heats exhibited gradual decrease with increase in temperature from room to intermediate temperatures followed by rapid decrease at high temperatures. A gradual decrease in ductility to a minimum at intermediate temperatures followed by an increase at high temperatures has been observed. The fracture mode remained transgranular ductile. The steel displayed signatures of dynamic strain ageing at intermediate temperatures and dominance of recovery at high temperatures. No significant difference in the strength and ductility values was observed for varying silicon in the range 0.24-0.60% in P9 steel. P9 steel for wrapper application displayed strength and ductility values comparable to those reported in the literature.

Double Vacuum Bag Process for Resin Matrix Composite Manufacturing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hou, Tan-Hung (Inventor); Jensen, Brian J. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A double vacuum bag molding assembly with improved void management and laminate net shape control which provides a double vacuum enviromnent for use in fabricating composites from prepregs containing air and/or volatiles such as reactive resin matrix composites or composites from solvent containing prepregs with non-reactive resins matrices. By using two vacuum environments during the curing process, a vacuum can be drawn during a B-stage of a two-step cycle without placing the composite under significant relative pressure. During the final cure stage, a significant pressure can be applied by releasing the vacuum in one of the two environments. Inner and outer bags are useful for creating the two vacuum environments with a perforated tool intermediate the two. The composite is placed intermediate a tool plate and a caul plate in the first environment with the inner bag and tool plate defining the first environment. The second environment is characterized by the outer bag which is placed over the inner bag and the tool plate.

Liquefaction processes and systems and liquefaction process intermediate compositions

DOEpatents

Schmidt, Andrew J.; Hart, Todd R.; Billing, Justin M.; Maupin, Gary D.; Hallen, Richard T.; Anderson, Daniel B.

2014-07-12

Liquefaction processes are provided that can include: providing a biomass slurry solution having a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. at a pressure of at least 2000 psig; cooling the solution to a temperature of less than 150.degree. C.; and depressurizing the solution to release carbon dioxide from the solution and form at least part of a bio-oil foam. Liquefaction processes are also provided that can include: filtering the biomass slurry to remove particulates; and cooling and depressurizing the filtered solution to form the bio-oil foam. Liquefaction systems are provided that can include: a heated biomass slurry reaction zone maintained above 300.degree. C. and at least 2000 psig and in continuous fluid communication with a flash cooling/depressurization zone maintained below 150.degree. C. and between about 125 psig and about atmospheric pressure. Liquefaction systems are also provided that can include a foam/liquid separation system. Liquefaction process intermediate compositions are provided that can include a bio-oil foam phase separated from an aqueous biomass solids solution.

Ammonia formation by a thiolate-bridged diiron amide complex as a nitrogenase mimic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yang; Li, Ying; Wang, Baomin; Luo, Yi; Yang, Dawei; Tong, Peng; Zhao, Jinfeng; Luo, Lun; Zhou, Yuhan; Chen, Si; Cheng, Fang; Qu, Jingping

2013-04-01

Although nitrogenase enzymes routinely convert molecular nitrogen into ammonia under ambient temperature and pressure, this reaction is currently carried out industrially using the Haber-Bosch process, which requires extreme temperatures and pressures to activate dinitrogen. Biological fixation occurs through dinitrogen and reduced NxHy species at multi-iron centres of compounds bearing sulfur ligands, but it is difficult to elucidate the mechanistic details and to obtain stable model intermediate complexes for further investigation. Metal-based synthetic models have been applied to reveal partial details, although most models involve a mononuclear system. Here, we report a diiron complex bridged by a bidentate thiolate ligand that can accommodate HN=NH. Following reductions and protonations, HN=NH is converted to NH3 through pivotal intermediate complexes bridged by N2H3- and NH2- species. Notably, the final ammonia release was effected with water as the proton source. Density functional theory calculations were carried out, and a pathway of biological nitrogen fixation is proposed.

Intermediality and the Child Performer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Budd, Natasha

2016-01-01

This report details examples of praxis in the creation and presentation of "Joy Fear and Poetry": an intermedial theatre performance in which children aged 7-12 years generated aesthetic gestures using a range of new media forms. The impetus for the work's development was a desire to make an intervention into habituated patterns of…

The Origin of Mercury's Surface Composition, an Experimental Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boujibar, A.; Righter, K.; Rapp, J. F.; Ross, D. K.; Pando, K. M.; Danielson, L. R.; Fontaine, E.

2016-01-01

Introduction: Results from MESSENGER spacecraft have confirmed the reduced nature of Mercury, based on its high core/mantle ratio and its FeO-poor and S-rich surface. Moreover, high resolution images revealed large volcanic plains and abundant pyroclastic deposits, suggesting major melting stages of the Mercurian mantle. In addition, MESSENGER has provided the most precise data to date on major elemental compositions of Mercury's surface. These results revealed considerable chemical heterogeneities that suggested several stages of differentiation and re-melting processes. This interpretation was challenged by our experimental previous study, which showed a similar compositional variation in the melting products of enstatite chondrites, which are a possible Mercury analogue. However, these experimental melts were obtained over a limited range of pressure (1 bar to 1 gigapascal) and were not compared to the most recent elemental maps. Therefore, here we extend the experimental dataset to higher pressures and perform a more quantitative comparison with Mercury's surface compositions measured by MESSENGER. In particular, we test whether these chemical heterogeneities result from mixing between polybaric melts. Our experiments and models show that the majority of chemical diversity of Mercury's surface can result from melting of a primitive mantle compositionally similar to enstatite chondrites in composition at various depths and degrees of melting. The high-Mg region's composition is reproduced by melting at high pressure (3 gigapascals) (Tab. 1), which is consistent with previous interpretation as being a large degraded impact basin based on its low elevation and thin average crust. While low-Mg NVP (North Volcanic Plains) are the result of melting at low pressure (1 bar), intermediate-Mg NVP, Caloris Basin and Rachmaninoff result from mixing of a high-pressure (3 gigapascals) and low-pressure components (1 bar for Rachmaninoff and 1 gigapascal for the other regions) (Tab. 1). Moreover, all compositions suggest mixing between low and high degree melts that indicate important differentiation processes.

Generation of Compartmentalized Pressure by a Nuclear Piston Governs Cell Motility in 3D Matrix*

PubMed Central

Petrie, Ryan J.; Koo, Hyun; Yamada, Kenneth M.

2017-01-01

Cells use actomyosin contractility to move through three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix. Contractility affects the type of protrusions cells use to migrate in 3D, but the mechanisms are unclear. Here we found that contractility generated high-pressure lobopodial protrusions in cells migrating in a 3D matrix. In these cells, the nucleus physically divided the cytoplasm into forward and rear compartments. Actomyosin contractility with the nucleoskeleton-intermediate filament linker protein nesprin 3 pulled the nucleus forward and pressurized the front of the cell. Reducing expression of nesprin 3 reduced and equalized the intracellular pressure. Thus, the nucleus can act as a piston that physically compartmentalizes the cytoplasm and increases the hydrostatic pressure between the nucleus and the leading edge to drive lamellipodia-independent 3D cell migration. PMID:25170155

Exhaust-Gas Pressure and Temperature Survey of F404-GE-400 Turbofan Engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walton, James T.; Burcham, Frank W., Jr.

1986-01-01

An exhaust-gas pressure and temperature survey of the General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofan engine was conducted in the altitude test facility of the NASA Lewis Propulsion System Laboratory. Traversals by a survey rake were made across the exhaust-nozzle exit to measure the pitot pressure and total temperature. Tests were performed at Mach 0.87 and a 24,000-ft altitude and at Mach 0.30 and a 30,000-ft altitude with various power settings from intermediate to maximum afterburning. Data yielded smooth pressure and temperature profiles with maximum jet temperatures approximately 1.4 in. inside the nozzle edge and maximum jet temperatures from 1 to 3 in. inside the edge. A low-pressure region located exactly at engine center was noted. The maximum temperature encountered was 3800 R.

Coesite inclusions in diamonds of Yakutia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bardukhinov, L. D.; Spetsius, Z. V.; Monkhorov, R. V.

2016-10-01

The results of the study of diamonds with inclusions of high-pressure modification of SiO2 (coesite) by Raman spectroscopy are reported. It is established that the octahedral crystal from the Zapolyarnaya pipe is characterized by the highest residual pressure (2.7 ± 0.07 GPa). An intermediate value of this parameter (2.1 ± 0.07 GPa) was obtained for a crystal of transitional habit from the Maiskaya pipe. The minimal Raman shift was registered for coesite in diamond from the Komsomol'skaya-Magnitnaya pipe and provided a calculated residual pressure of 1.8 ± 0.03 GPa. The residual pressures for crystals from the placer deposits of the Kuoika and Bol'shaya Kuonamka rivers are 2.7 ± 0.07 and 3.1 ± 0.1 GPa, respectively. Octahedral crystals were formed in the mantle at a higher pressure than rhombododecahedral diamonds.

Pressure-induced increase of exciton-LO-phonon coupling in a ZnCdSe/ZnSe quantum well

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Z. Z.; Liang, X. X.; Ban, S. L.

2003-07-01

The possibility of pressure-induced increase of exciton-LO-phonon coupling in ZnCdSe/ZnSe quantum wells is studied. The ground state binding energies of the heavy hole excitons are calculated using a variational method with consideration of the electron-phonon interaction and the pressure dependence of the parameters. The results show that for quantum wells with intermediate well width, the exciton binding energy and the LO-phonon energy may coincide in the course of pressure increasing, resulting in the increase of exciton-LO-phonon coupling. It is also found that among the pressure-dependent parameters, the influence of the lattice constant is the most important one. The changes of both the effective masses and the dielectric constants have obvious effects on the exciton binding energy, but their influences are counterbalanced.

Intermediate load-center photovoltaic application experiments

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

Burgess, E. L.

1980-01-01

A total of nine intermediate load-center photovoltaic systems were carried into the construction phase this year. These nine systems range in size from 20 to 225 kW/sub p/ electrical output and total almost 1 MW/sub p/. They are being installed in a diverse set of applications and locations and represent the bulk of the photovoltaic initial system evaluation experiments (ISEE) for the intermediate load-center sector. Each of these experiments are briefly described and the status of the construction phase is given for each project.

Decoding magma plumbing and geochemical evolution beneath the Lastarria volcanic complex (Northern Chile)-Evidence for multiple magma storage regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stechern, André; Just, Tobias; Holtz, François; Blume-Oeste, Magdalena; Namur, Olivier

2017-05-01

The petrology of quaternary andesites and dacites from Lastarria volcano was investigated to reconstruct the magma plumbing and storage conditions beneath the volcano. The mineral phase compositions and whole-rock major and trace element compositions were used to constrain temperature, pressure and possible mechanisms for magma differentiation. The applied thermobarometric models include two-pyroxene thermobarometry, plagioclase-melt thermometry, amphibole composition thermobarometry, and Fe-Ti oxide thermo-oxybarometry. The overall temperature estimation is in the range 840 °C to 1060 °C. Calculated oxygen fugacity ranges between NNO to NNO + 1. Results of the geo-barometric calculations reveal multiple magma storage regions, with a distinct storage level in the uppermost crust ( 6.5-8 km depth), a broad zone at mid-crustal levels ( 10-18 km depth), and a likely deeper zone at intermediate to lower crustal levels (> 20 km depth). The highest temperatures in the range 940-1040 °C are recorded in minerals stored in the mid-crustal levels ( 10-18 km depth). The whole-rock compositions clearly indicate that magma mixing is the main parameter controlling the general differentiation trends. Complex zoning patterns and textures in the plagioclase phenocrysts confirm reheating and remobilization processes due to magma replenishment.

Stenting of aortic coarctation: acute, intermediate, and long-term results of a prospective multi-institutional registry--Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium (CCISC).

PubMed

Holzer, Ralf; Qureshi, Shakeel; Ghasemi, Abdolrahim; Vincent, Julie; Sievert, Horst; Gruenstein, Daniel; Weber, Howard; Alday, Luis; Peirone, Alejandro; Zellers, Thomas; Cheatham, John; Slack, Michael; Rome, Jonathan

2010-10-01

Since the 1980s, stent implantation has evolved as an important therapeutic strategy for coarctation of the aorta. However, available data is frequently flawed by short follow-up, lack of adequate follow-up imaging, and retrospective nature of data collection. Data was prospectively collected using a multicenter registry congenital cardiovascular interventional study consortium (CCISC). Between 2000 and 2009, 302 patients from 34 centers with a median weight of 58 kg underwent stent implantation for coarctation. Eligible patients (44%) completed intermediate follow-up (3-18 months) with integrated imaging (cath, CT, MRI), whereas 21% completed long-term follow-up (>18-60 months). Procedural success was defined as UL/LL systolic gradient of less than 20 mm Hg, lack of significant recurrent obstruction, and freedom from unplanned repeat intervention. Acute procedural success was 96%. Cumulative intermediate success was 86%, and cumulative long-term success was 77%. Unplanned repeat interventions were required in 4%, and aortic wall complications were seen in 1% of patients (dissection n = 1 and aneurysm n = 3). Other adverse events (n = 15) occurred mainly acutely and included technical complications such as stent malposition (n = 9). At long-term follow-up, 23% of patients continued to have systolic blood pressure above the 95th centile, 9% had an upper-to-lower limb blood pressure gradient in excess of 20 mm Hg, and 32% were taking antihypertensive medication. This study documented acute, intermediate, and long-term outcome data comparable or superior with other surgical or interventional series. However, even with successful initial stent therapy, patients continue to require long-term follow-up and have associated long-term morbidity, relating to aortic wall complications, systemic hypertension, recurrent obstruction as well as need for repeat intervention. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Optimization and Comparison of Direct and Indirect Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Power Plant Cycles for Nuclear Applications

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

Edwin A. Harvego; Michael G. McKellar

2011-11-01

There have been a number of studies involving the use of gases operating in the supercritical mode for power production and process heat applications. Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) is particularly attractive because it is capable of achieving relatively high power conversion cycle efficiencies in the temperature range between 550 C and 750 C. Therefore, it has the potential for use with any type of high-temperature nuclear reactor concept, assuming reactor core outlet temperatures of at least 550 C. The particular power cycle investigated in this paper is a supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle. The CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle can bemore » used as either a direct or indirect power conversion cycle, depending on the reactor type and reactor outlet temperature. The advantage of this cycle when compared to the helium Brayton cycle is the lower required operating temperature; 550 C versus 850 C. However, the supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle requires an operating pressure in the range of 20 MPa, which is considerably higher than the required helium Brayton cycle operating pressure of 8 MPa. This paper presents results of analyses performed using the UniSim process analyses software to evaluate the performance of both a direct and indirect supercritical CO2 Brayton Recompression cycle for different reactor outlet temperatures. The direct supercritical CO2 cycle transferred heat directly from a 600 MWt reactor to the supercritical CO2 working fluid supplied to the turbine generator at approximately 20 MPa. The indirect supercritical CO2 cycle assumed a helium-cooled Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR), operating at a primary system pressure of approximately 7.0 MPa, delivered heat through an intermediate heat exchanger to the secondary indirect supercritical CO2 Brayton Recompression cycle, again operating at a pressure of about 20 MPa. For both the direct and indirect cycles, sensitivity calculations were performed for reactor outlet temperature between 550 C and 850 C. The UniSim models used realistic component parameters and operating conditions to model the complete reactor and power conversion systems. CO2 properties were evaluated, and the operating ranges of the cycles were adjusted to take advantage of the rapidly changing properties of CO2 near the critical point. The results of the analyses showed that, for the direct supercritical CO2 power cycle, thermal efficiencies in the range of 40 to 50% can be achieved. For the indirect supercritical CO2 power cycle, thermal efficiencies were approximately 10% lower than those obtained for the direct cycle over the same reactor outlet temperature range.« less

Pressure induced para-antiferromagnetic switching in BiFeO3-PbTiO3 as determined using in-situ neutron diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Comyn, Tim P.; Stevenson, Tim; Al-Jawad, Maisoon; Marshall, William G.; Smith, Ronald I.; Herrero-Albillos, Julia; Cywinski, Robert; Bell, Andrew J.

2013-05-01

BiFeO3-PbTiO3 exhibits both ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic order, depending on the composition. Moderate hydrostatic pressures have been used at room temperature to transform the crystallographic phase from P4mm to R3c for the compositions 0.7BiFeO3-0.3PbTiO3 and 0.65BiFeO3-0.35PbTiO3, as determined using in-situ neutron diffraction. Using Rietveld refinements, the resultant data showed that, for both compositions, a transformation from para- to G-type antiferromagnetic order accompanied the structural transition. The transformation occurred over the range 0.4-0.77 and 0.67-0.88 GPa for 0.7BiFeO3-0.3PbTiO3 and 0.65BiFeO3-0.35PbTiO3, respectively; at intermediate pressures, a mixture of P4mm and R3c phases were evident. These pressures are far lower than required to induce a phase transition in either the BiFeO3 or PbTiO3 end members. The driving force for this pressure induced first order phase transition is a significant difference in volume between the two phases, P4mm > R3c of 4%-5%, at ambient pressure. Upon removal of the pressure, 0.65BiFeO3-0.35PbTiO3 returned to the paramagnetic tetragonal state, whereas in 0.7BiFeO3-0.3PbTiO3 antiferromagnetic ordering persisted, and the structural phase remained rhombohedral. Using conventional laboratory x-ray diffraction with a hot-stage, the phase readily reverted back to a tetragonal phase, at temperatures between 100 and 310 °C for 0.7BiFeO3-0.3PbTiO3, far lower than the ferroelectric Curie point for this composition of 632 °C. To our knowledge, the reported pressure induced para- to antiferromagnetic transition is unique in the literature.

An informational transition in conditioned Markov chains: Applied to genetics and evolution.

PubMed

Zhao, Lei; Lascoux, Martin; Waxman, David

2016-08-07

In this work we assume that we have some knowledge about the state of a population at two known times, when the dynamics is governed by a Markov chain such as a Wright-Fisher model. Such knowledge could be obtained, for example, from observations made on ancient and contemporary DNA, or during laboratory experiments involving long term evolution. A natural assumption is that the behaviour of the population, between observations, is related to (or constrained by) what was actually observed. The present work shows that this assumption has limited validity. When the time interval between observations is larger than a characteristic value, which is a property of the population under consideration, there is a range of intermediate times where the behaviour of the population has reduced or no dependence on what was observed and an equilibrium-like distribution applies. Thus, for example, if the frequency of an allele is observed at two different times, then for a large enough time interval between observations, the population has reduced or no dependence on the two observed frequencies for a range of intermediate times. Given observations of a population at two times, we provide a general theoretical analysis of the behaviour of the population at all intermediate times, and determine an expression for the characteristic time interval, beyond which the observations do not constrain the population's behaviour over a range of intermediate times. The findings of this work relate to what can be meaningfully inferred about a population at intermediate times, given knowledge of terminal states. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The nature of intermediate-range order in Ge-As-S glasses : results from reverse Monte Carlo modeling.

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

Soyer-Uzun, S.; Benmore, C. J.; Siewenie, J. E.

2010-01-01

The experimental neutron and x-ray diffraction data for stoichiometric and S-deficient Ge{sub x}As{sub x}S{sub 100-2x} glasses with x = 18.2, 25.0, and 33.3 at.% have been modeled simultaneously using the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) technique. Nearest-neighbor coordination environments, as obtained in previous x-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction experiments, have been employed as short-range order constraints in these simulations. The large scale three-dimensional structural models thus obtained from RMC simulation are used to investigate the nature and compositional evolution of intermediate-range structural order in these ternary glasses. The intermediate-range structural order is controlled by (1) a corner-shared three-dimensional network of AsS{submore » 3} pyramids and GeS{sub 4} tetrahedra in the stoichiometric Ge{sub 18.2}As{sub 18.2}S{sub 63.6} glass, (2) a heterogeneous structure that consists of homopolar bonded As-rich regions coexisting with a GeS{sub 2} network in the S-deficient Ge{sub 25}As{sub 25}S{sub 50} glass, and (3) a homogeneous structure resulting from the disruption of the topological continuity of the GeS{sub 2} network and As-rich clusters regions due to the formation of Ge-As bonds in the most S-deficient Ge{sub 33.3}As{sub 33.3}S{sub 33.3} glass. This scenario of the compositional evolution of intermediate-range structural order is consistent with and provides an atomistic explanation of the corresponding evolution in the position, width and intensity of the first sharp diffraction peak and the magnitude of small angle scattering in these glasses.« less

Experimental investigation and application of the equilibrium rutile + orthopyroxene = quartz + ilmenite

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hayob, J.L.; Bohlen, S.R.; Essene, E.J.

1993-01-01

Equilibria in the Sirf (Silica-Ilmenite-Rutile-Ferrosilite) system: {Mathematical expression} have been calibrated in the range 800-1100?? C and 12-26 kbar using a piston-cylinder apparatus to assess the potential of the equilibria for geobarometry in granulite facies assemblages that lack garnet. Thermodynamic calculations indicate that the two end-member equilibria involving quartz + geikielite = rutile + enstatite, and quartz + ilmenite = rutile + ferrosilite, are metastable. We therefore reversed equilibria over the compositional range Fs40-70, using Ag80Pd20 capsules with {Mathematical expression} buffered at or near iron-wu??stite. Ilmenite compositions coexisting with orthopyroxene are {Mathematical expression} of 0.06 to 0.15 and {Mathematical expression} of 0.00 to 0.01, corresponding to KD values of 13.3, 10.2, 9.0 and 8.0 (??0.5) at 800, 900, 1000 and 1100?? C, respectively, where KD=(XMg/XFe)Opx/(XMg/XFe)Ilm. Pressures have been calculated using equilibria in the Sirf system for granulites from the Grenville Province of Ontario and for granulite facies xenoliths from central Mexico. Pressures are consistent with other well-calibrated geobarometers for orthopyroxeneilmenite pairs from two Mexican samples in which oxide textures appear to represent equilibrium. Geologically unreasonable pressures are obtained, however, where oxide textures are complex. Application of data from this study on the equilibrium distribution of iron and magnesium between ilmenite and orthopyroxene suggests that some ilmenite in deep crustal xenoliths is not equilibrated with coexisting pyroxene, while assemblages from exposed granulite terranes have reequilibrated during retrogression. The Sirf equilibria are sensitive to small changes in composition and may be used for determination of activity/composition (a/X) relations of orthopyroxene if an ilmenite model is specified. A symmetric regular solution model has been used for orthopyroxene in conjunction with activity models for ilmenite available from the literature to calculate a/X relations in orthopyroxene of intermediate composition. Data from this study indicate that FeSiO3-MgSiO3 orthopyroxene exhibits small, positive deviations from ideality over the range 800-1100??C. ?? 1993 Springer-Verlag.

Atmospheric reaction of Cl + methacrolein: a theoretical study on the mechanism, and pressure- and temperature-dependent rate constants.

PubMed

Sun, Cuihong; Xu, Baoen; Zhang, Shaowen

2014-05-22

Methacrolein is a major degradation product of isoprene, the reaction of methacrolein with Cl atoms may play some roles in the degradation of isoprene where these species are relatively abundant. However, the energetics and kinetics of this reaction, which govern the reaction branching, are still not well understood so far. In the present study, two-dimensional potential energy surfaces were constructed to analyze the minimum energy path of the barrierless addition process between Cl and the C═C double bond of methacrolein, which reveals that the terminal addition intermediate is directly formed from the addition reaction. The terminal addition intermediate can further yield different products among which the reaction paths abstracting the aldehyde hydrogen atom and the methyl hydrogen atom are dominant reaction exits. The minimum reaction path for the direct aldehydic hydrogen atom abstraction is also obtained. The reaction kinetics was calculated by the variational transition state theory in conjunction with the master equation method. From the theoretical model we predicted that the overall rate constant of the Cl + methacrolein reaction at 297 K and atmospheric pressure is koverall = 2.3× 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and the branching ratio of the aldehydic hydrogen abstraction is about 12%. The reaction is pressure dependent at P < 10 Torr with the high pressure limit at about 100 Torr. The calculated results could well account for the experimental observations.

Thermodynamic analysis of cascade microcryocoolers with low pressure ratios

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

Radebaugh, Ray

2014-01-29

The vapor-compression cycle for refrigeration near ambient temperature achieves high efficiency because the isenthalpic expansion of the condensed liquid is a rather efficient process. However, temperatures are limited to about 200 K with a single-stage system. Temperatures down to 77 K are possible with many stages. In the case of microcryocoolers using microcompressors, pressure ratios are usually limited to about 6 or less. As a result, even more stages are required to reach 77 K. If the microcompressors can be fabricated with low-cost wafer-level techniques, then the use of many stages with separate compressors may become a viable option formore » achieving temperatures of 77 K with high efficiency. We analyze the ideal thermodynamic efficiency of a cascade Joule-Thomson system for various temperatures down to 77 K and with low pressure ratios. About nine stages are required for 77 K, but fewer stages are also analyzed for operation at higher temperatures. For 77 K, an ideal second-law efficiency of 83 % of Carnot is possible with perfect recuperative heat exchangers and 65 % of Carnot is possible with no recuperative heat exchangers. The results are compared with calculated efficiencies in mixed-refrigerant cryocoolers over the range of 77 K to 200 K. Refrigeration at intermediate temperatures is also available. The use of single-component fluids in each of the stages is expected to eliminate the problem of pulsating flow and temperature oscillations experienced in microcryocoolers using mixed refrigerants.« less

Structure-Function Perturbation and Dissociation of Tetrameric Urate Oxidase by High Hydrostatic Pressure

PubMed Central

Girard, Eric; Marchal, Stéphane; Perez, Javier; Finet, Stéphanie; Kahn, Richard; Fourme, Roger; Marassio, Guillaume; Dhaussy, Anne-Claire; Prangé, Thierry; Giffard, Marion; Dulin, Fabienne; Bonneté, Françoise; Lange, Reinhard; Abraini, Jacques H.; Mezouar, Mohamed; Colloc'h, Nathalie

2010-01-01

Abstract Structure-function relationships in the tetrameric enzyme urate oxidase were investigated using pressure perturbation. As the active sites are located at the interfaces between monomers, enzyme activity is directly related to the integrity of the tetramer. The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the enzyme was investigated by x-ray crystallography, small-angle x-ray scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Enzymatic activity was also measured under pressure and after decompression. A global model, consistent with all measurements, discloses structural and functional details of the pressure-induced dissociation of the tetramer. Before dissociating, the pressurized protein adopts a conformational substate characterized by an expansion of its substrate binding pocket at the expense of a large neighboring hydrophobic cavity. This substate should be adopted by the enzyme during its catalytic mechanism, where the active site has to accommodate larger intermediates and product. The approach, combining several high-pressure techniques, offers a new (to our knowledge) means of exploring structural and functional properties of transient states relevant to protein mechanisms. PMID:20483346

A high-temperature gas-and-steam turbine plant operating on combined fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimenko, A. V.; Milman, O. O.; Shifrin, B. A.

2015-11-01

A high-temperature gas-steam turbine plant (GSTP) for ultrasupercritical steam conditions is proposed based on an analysis of prospects for the development of power engineering around the world and in Russia up to 2040. The performance indicators of a GSTP using steam from a coal-fired boiler with a temperature of 560-620°C with its superheating to 1000-1500°C by firing natural gas with oxygen in a mixingtype steam superheater are analyzed. The thermal process circuit and design of a GSTP for a capacity of 25 MW with the high- and intermediate-pressure high-temperature parts with the total efficiency equal to 51.7% and the natural gas utilization efficiency equal to 64-68% are developed. The principles of designing and the design arrangement of a 300 MW GSTP are developed. The effect of economic parameters (the level and ratio of prices for solid fuel and gas, and capital investments) on the net cost of electric energy is determined. The net cost of electric energy produced by the GSTP is lower than that produced by modern combined-cycle power plants in a wide variation range of these parameters. The components of a high-temperature GSTP the development of which determines the main features of such installations are pointed out: a chamber for combusting natural gas and oxygen in a mixture with steam, a vacuum device for condensing steam with a high content of nondensables, and a control system. The possibility of using domestically available gas turbine technologies for developing the GSTP's intermediate-pressure high-temperature part is pointed out. In regard of its environmental characteristics, the GSTP is more advantageous as compared with modern condensing power plants: it allows a flow of concentrated carbon dioxide to be obtained at its outlet, which can be reclaimed; in addition, this plant requires half as much consumption of fresh water.

Role of Water Activity on Intergranular Transport at High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasc, J.; Brunet, F.; Brantut, N.; Corvisier, J.; Findling, N.; Verlaguet, A.; Lathe, C.

2016-12-01

The kinetics of the reaction Ca(OH)2 + MgCO3 = CaCO3 + Mg(OH)2 were investigated at a pressure of 1.8 GPa and temperatures of 120-550°C, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and analysis of reaction rims on recovered samples. Comparable reaction kinetics were obtained under water saturated ( 10 wt.%), intermediate (0.1-1 wt.%) and dry conditions at 150, 400 and 550°C, respectively, where, in the latter case, water activity was buffered below one (no free water). At a given temperature, these gaps imply differences of several orders of magnitude in terms of reaction kinetics. Microscopy analysis shows that intergranular transport of Ca controls the reaction progress. Grain boundary diffusivities were retrieved from measurements of reaction rim widths on recovered samples. In addition, an innovative reaction rim growth model was developed to simulate and fit kinetic data. The diffusion values thus obtained show that both dry and intermediate datasets are in fact consistent with a water saturated intergranular medium with different levels of connectivity. Diffusivity of Ca in the CaCO3 + Mg(OH)2 rims is found to be much larger than that of Mg in enstatite rims, which emphasizes the prominent role of interactions between diffusing species and mineral surfaces on diffusion. We suggest that diffusivity of major species (Mg, Ca) in low-porosity metamorphic rocks is not only water-content dependent but also strongly depends on the interaction between diffusing species and mineral surfaces. This parameter, which will vary from one rock-type to the other, needs to be considered when extrapolating (P,T,t, xH2O) laboratory diffusion data to metamorphic processes. The present study, along with previous data from the literature, will help quantify the tremendous effect of small water content variations, i.e., within the 0-1 wt. % range, on intergranular transport and reaction kinetics (Gasc et al., J. Pet., In press).

In situ Identification of Labile Precursor Compounds and their Short-lived Intermediates in Plants using in vivo Nanospray High-resolution Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Chang, Qing; Peng, Yue'e; Shi, Bin; Dan, Conghui; Yang, Yijun; Shuai, Qin

2016-05-01

Many secondary metabolites in plants are labile compounds which under environmental stress, are difficult to detect and track due to the lack of rapid in situ identification techniques, making plant metabolomics research difficult. Therefore, developing a reliable analytical method for rapid in situ identification of labile compounds and their short-lived intermediates in plants is of great importance. To develop under atmospheric pressure, a rapid in situ method for effective identification of labile compounds and their short-lived intermediates in fresh plants. An in vivo nanospray high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) method was used for rapid capture of labile compounds and their short-lived intermediates in plants. A quartz capillary was partially inserted into fresh plant tissues, and the liquid flowed out through the capillary tube owing to the capillary effect. A high direct current (d.c.) voltage was applied to the plant to generate a spray of charged droplets from the tip of the capillary carrying bioactive molecules toward the inlet of mass spectrometer for full-scan and MS/MS analysis. Many labile compounds and short-lived intermediates were identified via this method: including glucosinolates and their short-lived intermediates (existing for only 10 s) in Raphanus sativus roots, alliin and its conversion intermediate (existing for 20 s) in Allium sativum and labile precursor compound chlorogenic acid in Malus pumila Mill. The method is an effective approach for in situ identification of internal labile compounds and their short-lived intermediates in fresh plants and it can be used as an auxiliary tool to explore the degradation mechanisms of new labile plant compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Physical Model for the Evolution of the Genetic Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamashita, Tatsuro; Narikiyo, Osamu

2011-12-01

Using the shape space of codons and tRNAs we give a physical description of the genetic code evolution on the basis of the codon capture and ambiguous intermediate scenarios in a consistent manner. In the lowest dimensional version of our description, a physical quantity, codon level is introduced. In terms of the codon levels two scenarios are typically classified into two different routes of the evolutional process. In the case of the ambiguous intermediate scenario we perform an evolutional simulation implemented cost selection of amino acids and confirm a rapid transition of the code change. Such rapidness reduces uncomfortableness of the non-unique translation of the code at intermediate state that is the weakness of the scenario. In the case of the codon capture scenario the survival against mutations under the mutational pressure minimizing GC content in genomes is simulated and it is demonstrated that cells which experience only neutral mutations survive.

Dehydration-driven stress transfer triggers intermediate-depth earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferrand, Thomas P.; Hilairet, Nadège; Incel, Sarah; Deldicque, Damien; Labrousse, Loïc; Gasc, Julien; Renner, Joerg; Wang, Yanbin; Green, Harry W., II; Schubnel, Alexandre

2017-05-01

Intermediate-depth earthquakes (30-300 km) have been extensively documented within subducting oceanic slabs, but their mechanics remains enigmatic. Here we decipher the mechanism of these earthquakes by performing deformation experiments on dehydrating serpentinized peridotites (synthetic antigorite-olivine aggregates, minerals representative of subduction zones lithologies) at upper mantle conditions. At a pressure of 1.1 gigapascals, dehydration of deforming samples containing only 5 vol% of antigorite suffices to trigger acoustic emissions, a laboratory-scale analogue of earthquakes. At 3.5 gigapascals, acoustic emissions are recorded from samples with up to 50 vol% of antigorite. Experimentally produced faults, observed post-mortem, are sealed by fluid-bearing micro-pseudotachylytes. Microstructural observations demonstrate that antigorite dehydration triggered dynamic shear failure of the olivine load-bearing network. These laboratory analogues of intermediate-depth earthquakes demonstrate that little dehydration is required to trigger embrittlement. We propose an alternative model to dehydration-embrittlement in which dehydration-driven stress transfer, rather than fluid overpressure, causes embrittlement.

Solar tracking system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

White, P. R.; Scott, D. R. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A solar tracker for a solar collector is described in detail. The collector is angularly oriented by a motor wherein the outputs of two side-by-side photodetectors are discriminated as to three ranges: a first corresponding to a low light or darkness condition; a second corresponding to light intensity lying in an intermediate range; and a third corresponding to light above an intermediate range, direct sunlight. The first output drives the motor to a selected maximum easterly angular position; the second enables the motor to be driven westerly at the Earth rotational rate; and the third output, the separate outputs of the two photodetectors, differentially controls the direction of rotation of the motor to effect actual tracking of the Sun.

Cross sections for electron scattering by carbon disulfide in the low- and intermediate-energy range

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

Brescansin, L. M.; Iga, I.; Lee, M.-T.

2010-01-15

In this work, we report a theoretical study on e{sup -}-CS{sub 2} collisions in the low- and intermediate-energy ranges. Elastic differential, integral, and momentum-transfer cross sections, as well as grand total (elastic + inelastic) and absorption cross sections, are reported in the 1-1000 eV range. A recently proposed complex optical potential composed of static, exchange, and correlation-polarization plus absorption contributions is used to describe the electron-molecule interaction. The Schwinger variational iterative method combined with the distorted-wave approximation is applied to calculate the scattering amplitudes. The comparison between our calculated results and the existing experimental and/or theoretical results is encouraging.

Subduction of lower continental crust beneath the Pamir imaged by receiver functions from the seismological TIPAGE network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, F. M.; Yuan, X.; Schurr, B.; Mechie, J.; Sippl, C.; Kufner, S.; Haberland, C. A.; Minaev, V.; Oimahmadov, I.; Gadoev, M.; Abdybachaev, U.; Orunbaev, S.

2013-12-01

As the northwestern promontory of the Tibetan Plateau, the Pamir forms an outstanding part of the India-Asia convergence zone. The Pamir plateau has an average elevation of more than 4000 m surrounded by peaks exceeding 7000 m at its northern, eastern and southern borders. The Pamir is thought to consist of the same collage of continental terranes as Tibet. However, in this region the Indian-Asian continental collision presents an extreme situation since, compared to Tibet, in the Pamir a similar amount of north-south convergence has been accommodated within a much smaller distance. The Pamir hosts a zone of intermediate depth earthquakes being the seismic imprint of Earth's most spectacular active intra-continental subduction zone. We present receiver function (RF) images from the TIPAGE seismic profile giving evidence that the intermediate depth seismicity is situated within a subducted layer of lower continental crust: We observe a southerly dipping 10-15 km thick low-velocity zone (LVZ), that starts from the base of the crust and extends to a depth of more than 150 km enveloping the intermediate depth earthquakes that have been located with high precision from our local network records. In a second northwest to southeast cross section we observe that towards the western Pamir the dip direction of the LVZ bends to the southeast following the geometry of the intermediate depth seismic zone. Our observations imply that the complete arcuate intermediate depth seismic zone beneath the Pamir traces a slab of subducting Eurasian continental lower crust. These observations provide important implications for the geodynamics of continental collision: First, it shows that under extreme conditions lower crust can be brought to mantle depths despite its buoyancy, a fact that is also testified by the exhumation of ultra-high pressure metamorphic rocks. Recent results from teleseismic tomography show a signal of Asian mantle lithosphere down to 600 km depth, implying a great amount of mantle lithosphere to be involved in the subduction, which possibly transmits pull forces to the lower crust to overcome its buoyancy. Secondly, the observation that earthquakes occur within the subducted crust implies that similar to oceanic subduction, metamorphic processes within the lower continental crust can cause or enable earthquakes at depths, where the high pressure and temperature conditions would normally not allow brittle failure of rocks. For imaging of the dipping LVZ, cross sections of Q- and T-component RFs are generated using a migration technique that accounts for the inclination of the conversion layers. Furthermore we present a Moho map of the Pamir, showing crustal thickness in most places of the Pamir ranging between 65 km and 75 km, while the greatest Moho depths of around 80 km are observed at the upper end of the LVZ. The surrounding areas namely the Tajik Depression, and the Ferghana and Tarim Basins show Moho depths of around 40 to 45 km giving an estimate of the pre-collisional crustal thickness of the former Basin area that was overthrust by the Pamir.

40 CFR 142.65 - Variances and exemptions from the maximum contaminant levels for radionuclides.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Raw water quality range &considerations 1 1. Ion exchange (IE) (a) Intermediate All ground waters. 2...-filtration. 5. Lime softening (d) Advanced All waters. 6. Green sand filtration (e) Basic. 7. Co-precipitation with barium sulfate (f) Intermediate to Advanced Ground waters with suitable water quality. 8...

Mechanisms of deterioration of intermediate moisture food systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Labuza, T. P.

1972-01-01

A study of shelf stability in intermediate moisture foods was made. Major efforts were made to control lipid oxidation and nonenzymatic browning. In order to determine means of preventing these reactions, model systems were developed having the same water activity content relationship of intermediate moisture foods. Models were based on a cellulose-lipid and protein-lipid system with glycerol added as the humectant. Experiments with both systems indicate that lipid oxidation is promoted significantly in the intermediate moisture range. The effect appeared to be related to increased mobility of either reactants or catalysts, since when the amount of water in the system reached a level where capillary condensation occurred and thus free water was present, the rates of oxidation increased. With added glycerol, which is water soluble and thus increases the amount of mobile phase, the increase in oxidation rate occurs at a lower relative humidity. The rates of oxidation were maximized at 61% RH and decreased again at 75% RH probably due to dilution. No significant non-enzymatic browning occurred in the protein-lipid systems. Prevention of oxidation by the use of metal chelating agents was enhanced in the cellulose system, whereas, with protein present, the lipid soluble chain terminating antioxidants (such as BHA) worked equally as well. Preliminary studies of foods adjusted to the intermediate moisture range bear out the results of oxidation in model systems. It can be concluded that for most fat containing intermediate moisture foods, rancidity will be the reaction most limiting stability.

Tunable in-line fiber optic comb filter using a side-polished single-mode fiber coupler with LiNbO 3 overlay and intermediate coupling layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohn, Kyung-Rak; Song, Jae-Won

2002-03-01

Using a side-polished single-mode fiber covered with a polished LiNbO 3 overlay and an intermediate coupling layer, tunable fiber-optic comb filters are demonstrated. The device behaviors based on the modal properties of the fiber and the planar LiNbO 3 waveguide are analyzed by two dimensional beam propagation methods (2-D BPM) and discussed the role of an intermediate coupling layer in terms of coupling efficiency. We also show that the thermo-optic effects of this layer can be utilized to tune the comb filter. When the polished x-cut LiNbO 3 with 200 μm thickness is used as a multimode overlay waveguide, the comb output spectra with free spectral range of 4 nm are measured in 1550 nm wavelength range. The tuning rate as a function of the refractive index of an intermediate coupling layer, Δλ/ Δnb, is about -0.129 nm/-0.001. The experimental results are in good agreement with the calculated results.

Pulmonary compliance and lung volume varies with ecomorphology in anuran amphibians: implications for ventilatory-assisted lymph flux.

PubMed

Hedrick, Michael S; Hillman, Stanley S; Drewes, Robert C; Withers, Philip C

2011-10-01

Vertical movement of lymph from ventral regions to the dorsally located lymph hearts in anurans is accomplished by specialized skeletal muscles working in concert with lung ventilation. We hypothesize that more terrestrial species with greater lymph mobilization capacities and higher lymph flux rates will have larger lung volumes and higher pulmonary compliance than more semi-aquatic or aquatic species. We measured in situ mean and maximal compliance (Δvolume/Δpressure), distensibility (%Δvolume/Δpressure) and lung volume over a range of physiological pressures (1.0 to 4.0 cmH(2)O) for nine species of anurans representing three families (Bufonide, Ranidae and Pipidae) that span a range of body masses and habitats from terrestrial to aquatic. We further examined the relationship between these pulmonary variables and lymph flux for a semi-terrestrial bufonid (Rhinella marina), a semi-aquatic ranid (Lithobates catesbeianus) and an aquatic pipid (Xenopus laevis). Allometric scaling of pulmonary compliance and lung volume with body mass showed significant differences at the family level, with scaling exponents ranging from ∼0.75 in Bufonidae to ∼1.3 in Pipidae. Consistent with our hypothesis, the terrestrial Bufonidae species had significantly greater pulmonary compliance and greater lung volumes compared with semi-aquatic Ranidae and aquatic Pipidae species. Pulmonary distensibility ranged from ∼20 to 35% cmH(2)O(-1) for the three families but did not correlate with ecomorphology. For the three species for which lymph flux data are available, R. marina had a significantly higher (P<0.001) maximal compliance (84.9±2.7 ml cmH(2)O(-1) kg(-1)) and lung volume (242.1±5.5 ml kg(-1)) compared with L. catesbeianus (54.5±0.12 ml cmH(2)O(-1) kg(-1) and 139.3±0.5 ml kg(-1)) and X. laevis (30.8±0.7 ml cmH(2)O(-1) kg(-1) and 61.3±2.5 ml kg(-1)). Lymph flux rates were also highest for R. marina, lowest for X. laevis and intermediate in L. catesbeianus. Thus, there is a strong correlation between pulmonary compliance, lung volume and lymph flux rates, which suggests that lymph mobilization capacity may explain some of the variation in pulmonary compliance and lung volume in anurans.

Time-resolved gas-phase kinetic and quantum chemical studies of the reaction of silylene with oxygen.

PubMed

Becerra, Rosa; Bowes, Sarah-Jane; Ogden, J Steven; Cannady, J Pat; Adamovic, Ivana; Gordon, Mark S; Almond, Matthew J; Walsh, Robin

2005-08-07

Time-resolved kinetic studies of the reaction of silylene, SiH2, generated by laser flash photolysis of phenylsilane, have been carried out to obtain rate constants for its bimolecular reaction with O(2). The reaction was studied in the gas phase over the pressure range 1-100 Torr in SF(6) bath gas, at five temperatures in the range 297-600 K. The second order rate constants at 10 Torr were fitted to the Arrhenius equation: [see text] The decrease in rate constant values with increasing temperature, although systematic is very small. The rate constants showed slight increases in value with pressure at each temperature, but this was scarcely beyond experimental uncertainty. From estimates of Lennard-Jones collision rates, this reaction is occurring at ca. 1 in 20 collisions, almost independent of pressure and temperature. Ab initio calculations at the G3 level backed further by multi-configurational (MC) SCF calculations, augmented by second order perturbation theory (MRMP2), support a mechanism in which the initial adduct, H(2)SiOO, formed in the triplet state (T), undergoes intersystem crossing to the more stable singlet state (S) prior to further low energy isomerisation processes leading, via a sequence of steps, ultimately to dissociation products of which the lowest energy pair are H2O+SiO. The decomposition of the intermediate cyclo-siladioxirane, via O-O bond fission, plays an important role in the overall process. The bottleneck for the overall process appears to be the T-->S process in H2SiOO. This process has a small spin-orbit coupling matrix element, consistent with an estimate of its rate constant of 1x10(9) s-1 obtained with the aid of RRKM theory. This interpretation preserves the idea that, as in its reactions in general, SiH2 initially reacts at the encounter rate with O2. The low values for the secondary reaction barriers on the potential energy surface account for the lack of an observed pressure dependence. Some comparisons are drawn with the reactions of CH2+O2 and SiCl2+O2.

Formation and characterization of simulated small droplet icing clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ingebo, R. D.

1986-01-01

Two pneumatic two-fluid atomizers operating at high liquid and gas pressures produced water sprays that simulated small droplet clouds for use in studying icing effects on aircraft performance. To measure median volume diameter, MVD or D sub v.5, of small droplet water sprays, a scattered-light scanning instrument was developed. Drop size data agreed fairly well with calculated values at water and nitrogen pressures of 60 and 20 psig, respectively, and at water and nitrogen pressures of 250 and 100 psig, respectively, but not very well at intermediate values of water and nitrogen pressure. MVD data were correlated with D sub 0, W sub N, and W sub w, i.e., orifice diameter, nitrogen, and water flowrate, respectively, to give the expression for MVD in microns.

Pressure-Induced Structural Phase Transition in CeNi: X-ray and Neutron Scattering Studies and First-Principles Calculations

DOE PAGES

Mirmelstein, A.; Podlesnyak, Andrey A.; dos Santos, Antonio M.; ...

2015-08-03

The pressure-induced structural phase transition in the intermediate-valence compound CeNi has been investigated by x-ray and neutron powder diffraction techniques. It is shown that the structure of the pressure-induced CeNi phase (phases) can be described in terms of the Pnma space group. Equations of state for CeNi on both sides of the phase transition are derived and an approximate P-T phase diagram is suggested for P<8 GPa and T<300 K. The observed Cmcm→Pnma structural transition is then analyzed using density functional theory calculations, which successfully reproduce the ground state volume, the phase transition pressure, and the volume collapse associated withmore » the phase transition.« less

Atmospheric pressure plasma processing of polymeric materials utilizing close proximity indirect exposure

DOEpatents

Paulauskas, Felix L.; Bonds, Truman

2016-09-20

A plasma treatment method that includes providing treatment chamber including an intermediate heating volume and an interior treatment volume. The interior treatment volume contains an electrode assembly for generating a plasma and the intermediate heating volume heats the interior treatment volume. A work piece is traversed through the treatment chamber. A process gas is introduced to the interior treatment volume of the treatment chamber. A plasma is formed with the electrode assembly from the process gas, wherein a reactive species of the plasma is accelerated towards the fiber tow by flow vortices produced in the interior treatment volume by the electrode assembly.

Variable Cycle Engine Control System Definition Study. Turbine Engine Technology Demonstrator Component Development Program, Project 668A. Controls Development Program

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

6- 18 6.5 Acceleration Mode - Purumeter Accuracy Comparison 6- 18 6.6 Acceleratiin Mode - Sensor Accuracy Cormpriwon 6- 0 6.7 .OP/P Surqt Control...Spool Speeds 6-42 6. 18 Fan Pressure Ratio Schedule 6-43 6.19 SFC with Control Mode 01 6-45 6.20 Optimal T4.1 vs. NHCl 6-46 6.21 Adjusted SFC for... 18 Intermediate Power to Idle Decelberation at Mach 2.2 and 36,089 Feet 7-39 7.19 Idle to Intermediate Power Acceleration at Mach 1.2 and 500 feet 7

Wet-air oxidation cleans up black wastewater

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

Not Available

1993-09-01

Sterling Organics produces the analgesic paracetamol (acetaminophen) at its Dudley, England, plant. The wastewater from the batch process contains intermediates such as para-aminophenol (PAP) and byproducts such as thiosulfates, sulfites and sulfides. To stay ahead of increasingly strict environmental legislation, Sterling Organics installed a wet-air oxidation system at the Dudley facility in August 1992. The system is made by Zimpro Environmental Inc. (Rothschild, Wis.). Zimpro's wet-air oxidation system finds a way around the limitations of purely chemical or physical processes. In the process, compressed air at elevated temperature and pressure oxidizes the process intermediates and byproducts and removes the colormore » from the wastewater.« less

77 FR 56760 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-14

... Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... all Rolls-Royce plc (RR) RB211-Trent 800 series turbofan engines. This AD requires removing from...-17, 892-17, 892B-17, and 895-17 turbofan engines that have an intermediate pressure (IP) turbine disc...

76 FR 64283 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-18

... currently requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for...-Trent 800 IP compressor rotor shafts that have been found cracked. This proposed AD would continue to... identified above could lead to IP compressor rotor shaft failure, uncontained engine failure, and damage to...

78 FR 54149 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-03

...-10-12 required inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for... Trent 500 IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land during a shop visit. Further engineering... AD to detect cracking on the IP compressor rotor shaft rear balance land, which could lead to...

77 FR 31176 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc (RR) Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-25

... currently requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP) compressor rotor shaft rear balance land for... detect cracking on the IP compressor rotor rear balance land. IP compressor rotor rear balance land...), without sub-headings. Request To Delete the Re-Balance Requirement American Airlines requested that in the...

Silica hydride intermediate for octadecylsilica and phenyl bonded phase preparation via heterogeneous hydrosilation in supercritical carbon dioxide.

PubMed

Scully, N M; Ashu-Arrah, B A; Nagle, A P; Omamogho, J O; O'Sullivan, G P; Friebolin, V; Dietrich, B; Albert, K; Glennon, J D

2011-04-15

Investigations into the preparation of silica hydride intermediate in supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO(2)) that avoids the use of organic solvents such as toluene or dioxane are described. The effects of reaction temperature, pressure and time on the surface coverage of the supercritical fluid generated silica hydride intermediate were studied. Under optimised supercritical conditions of 120°C, 483 bar and 3 h reaction time, silica hydride (Si-H) conversion efficiencies of ca. 40% were achieved for the hydride intermediate prepared from a monofunctional silane reagent (dimethylmethoxysilane). Si-H conversion efficiencies (as determined from (29)Si CP-MAS NMR spectral analysis) for the hydride intermediate prepared from triethoxysilane (TES) in sc-CO(2) were found to be comparable to those obtained using a TES silanisation approach in an organic solvent. (13)C and (29)Si CP-MAS-NMR spectroscopy was employed to provide a complete structural assignment of the silica hydride intermediates. Furthermore, supercritical CO(2) was subsequently employed as a reaction medium for the heterogenous hydrosilation of silica hydride with octadecene and with styrene, in the presence of a free radical initiator. These supercritical fluid generated reversed-phase materials were prepared in a substantially reduced reaction time (3 h) compared to organic solvent based methods (100 h reaction time). Silica functionalisation in sc-CO(2) presents an efficient and clean alternative to organic solvent based methods for the preparation of important silica hydride intermediate and silica bonded stationary phases via a hydrosilation approach. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A validated ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography method for separation of candesartan cilexetil impurities and its degradents in drug product

PubMed Central

Kumar, Namala Durga Atchuta; Babu, K. Sudhakar; Gosada, Ullas; Sharma, Nitish

2012-01-01

Introduction: A selective, specific, and sensitive “Ultra High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography” (UPLC) method was developed for determination of candesartan cilexetil impurities as well asits degradent in tablet formulation. Materials and Methods: The chromatographic separation was performed on Waters Acquity UPLC system and BEH Shield RP18 column using gradient elution of mobile phase A and B. 0.01 M phosphate buffer adjusted pH 3.0 with Orthophosphoric acid was used as mobile phase A and 95% acetonitrile with 5% Milli Q Water was used as mobile phase B. Ultraviolet (UV) detection was performed at 254 nm and 210 nm, where (CDS-6), (CDS-5), (CDS-7), (Ethyl Candesartan), (Desethyl CCX), (N-Ethyl), (CCX-1), (1 N Ethyl Oxo CCX), (2 N Ethyl Oxo CCX), (2 N Ethyl) and any unknown impurity were monitored at 254 nm wavelength, and two process-related impurities, trityl alcohol and MTE impurity, were estimated at 210 nm. Candesartan cilexetil andimpurities were chromatographed with a total run time of 20 min. Results: Calibration showed that the response of impurity was a linear function of concentration over the range limit of quantification to 2 μg/mL (r2≥0.999) and the method was validated over this range for precision, intermediate precision, accuracy, linearity, and specificity. For the precision study, percentage relative standard deviation of each impurity was <15% (n=6). Conclusion: The method was found to be precise, accurate, linear, and specific. The proposed method was successfully employed for estimation of candesartan cilexetil impurities in pharmaceutical preparations. PMID:23781475

Collective dynamics of large aspect ratio dusty plasma in an inhomogeneous plasma background: Formation of the co-rotating vortex series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choudhary, Mangilal; Mukherjee, S.; Bandyopadhyay, P.

2018-02-01

In this paper, the collective dynamics of large aspect ratio dusty plasma is studied over a wide range of discharge parameters. An inductively coupled diffused plasma, which creates an electrostatic trap to confine the negatively charged grains, is used to form a large volume (or large aspect ratio) dusty plasma at low pressure. For introducing the dust grains into the potential well, a unique technique using secondary DC glow discharge plasma is employed. The dust dynamics is recorded in a two-dimension (2D) plane at a given axial location. The dust fluid exhibits wave-like behavior at low pressure (p < 0.06 mbar) and high rf power (P > 3 W). The mixed motion, waves and vortices, is observed at an intermediate gas pressure (p ˜ 0.08 mbar) and low power (P < 3 W). Above the threshold value of gas pressure (p > 0.1 mbar), the clockwise and anti-clockwise co-rotating vortex series are observed on edges of the dust cloud, whereas the particles in the central region show random motion. These vortices are only observed above the threshold width of the dust cloud. The occurrence of the co-rotating vortices is understood on the basis of the charge gradient of dust particles, which is orthogonal to the gravity. The charge gradient is a consequence of the plasma inhomogeneity from the central region to the outer edge of the dust fluid. Since a vortex has the characteristic size in the dissipative medium; therefore, a series of the co-rotating vortex on both sides of dusty plasma is observed. The experimental results on the vortex formation and its multiplicity are compared to an available theoretical model and are found to be in close agreement.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of hypertension in women and men.

PubMed

Sesso, Howard D; Cook, Nancy R; Buring, Julie E; Manson, JoAnn E; Gaziano, J Michael

2008-04-01

Heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of hypertension, but the relationship between light-to-moderate alcohol consumption and incident hypertension remains controversial. We prospectively followed 28 848 women from the Women's Health Study and 13 455 men from the Physicians' Health Study free of baseline hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Self-reported lifestyle and clinical risk factors were collected. In women, total alcohol intake was summed from liquor, red wine, white wine, and beer; men reported total alcohol intake from a single combined question. During 10.9 and 21.8 years of follow-up, 8680 women and 6012 men developed hypertension (defined as new physician diagnosis, antihypertensive treatment, reported systolic blood pressure >or=140 mm Hg, or diastolic blood pressure >or=90 mm Hg). In women, we found a J-shaped association between alcohol intake and hypertension in age- and lifestyle-adjusted models. Adding potential intermediates (body mass index, diabetes, and high cholesterol) attenuated the benefits of alcohol in the light-to-moderate range and strengthened the adverse effects of heavy alcohol intake. Beverage-specific relative risks paralleled those for total alcohol intake. In men, alcohol intake was positively and significantly associated with the risk of hypertension and persisted after multivariate adjustment. Models stratified by baseline systolic blood pressure (<120 versus >or=120 mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (<75 versus >or=75 mm Hg) did not alter the relative risks in women and men. In conclusion, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption decreased hypertension risk in women and increased risk in men. The threshold above which alcohol became deleterious for hypertension risk emerged at >or=4 drinks per day in women versus a moderate level of >or=1 drink per day in men.

Femoral curvature variability in modern humans using three-dimensional quadric surface fitting.

PubMed

Chapman, Tara; Sholukha, Victor; Semal, Patrick; Louryan, Stéphane; Rooze, Marcel; Van Sint Jan, Serge

2015-12-01

This study analysed femoral curvature in a population from Belgium in conjunction with other morphological characteristics by the use of three-dimensional (3D) quadric surfaces (QS) modelled from the bone surface. 3D models were created from computed tomography data of 75 femoral modern human bones. Anatomical landmarks (ALs) were palpated in specific bony areas of the femur (shaft, condyles, neck and head). QS were then created from the surface vertices which enclose these ALs. The diaphyseal shaft was divided into five QS shapes to analyse curvature in different parts of the shaft. Femoral bending differs in different parts of the diaphyseal shaft. The greatest degree of curvature was found in the distal shaft (mean 4.5° range 0.2°-10°) followed by the proximal (mean 4.4° range 1.5°-10.2°), proximal intermediate (mean 3.7° range 0.9°-7.9°) and distal intermediate (mean 1.8° range 0.2°-5.6°) shaft sections. The proximal and distal angles were significantly more bowed than the intermediate proximal and the intermediate distal angle. There was no significant difference between the proximal and distal angle. No significant correlations were found between morphological characteristics and femoral curvature. An extremely large variability of femoral curvature with several bones displaying very high or low degrees of femoral curvature was also found. 3D QS fitting enables the creation of accurate models which can discriminate between different patterns in similar curvatures and demonstrates there is a clear difference between curvature in different parts of the shaft.

Blood pressure reactivity to psychological stress is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure.

PubMed

Sherwood, Andrew; Hill, LaBarron K; Blumenthal, James A; Adams, Kirkwood F; Paine, Nicola J; Koch, Gary G; O'Connor, Christopher M; Johnson, Kristy S; Hinderliter, Alan L

2017-09-01

Cardiovascular (CV) reactivity to psychological stress has been implicated in the development and exacerbation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although high CV reactivity traditionally is thought to convey greater risk of CVD, the relationship between reactivity and clinical outcomes is inconsistent and may depend on the patient population under investigation. The present study examined CV reactivity in patients with heart failure (HF) and its potential association with long-term clinical outcomes. One hundred ninety-nine outpatients diagnosed with HF, with ejection fraction ≤40%, underwent an evaluation of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate reactivity to a laboratory-based simulated public-speaking stressor. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the prospective association between BP and heart rate reactivity on a combined end point of death or CV hospitalization over a 5-year median follow-up period. Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reactivity, quantified as continuous variables, were inversely related to risk of death or CV hospitalization (Ps < .01) after controlling for established risk factors, including HF disease severity and etiology. In similar models, heart rate reactivity was unrelated to outcome (P = .12). In models with tertiles of reactivity, high SBP reactivity, compared with intermediate SBP reactivity, was associated with lower risk (hazard ratio [HR] = .498, 95% CI .335-.742, P =.001), whereas low SBP reactivity did not differ from intermediate reactivity. For DBP, high reactivity was marginally associated with lower risk compared with intermediate DBP reactivity (HR = .767, 95% CI .515-1.14, P =.193), whereas low DBP reactivity was associated with greater risk (HR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.027-2.155, P =.0359). No relationship of heart rate reactivity to outcome was identified. For HF patients with reduced ejection fraction, a robust increase in BP evoked by a laboratory-based psychological challenge was associated with lower risk for adverse CVD events and may be a novel and unique marker of left ventricular systolic reserve that is accompanied by a more favorable long-term prognosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Kinetic simulations of gas breakdown in the dense plasma focus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, N.; Blasco, M.; Breeding, K.; DiPuccio, V.; Gall, B.; Garcia, M.; Gardner, S.; Gatling, J.; Hagen, E. C.; Luttman, A.; Meehan, B. T.; Molnar, S.; O'Brien, R.; Ormond, E.; Robbins, L.; Savage, M.; Sipe, N.; Welch, D. R.

2017-06-01

The first fully kinetic, collisional, and electromagnetic simulations of the breakdown phase of a MA-scale dense plasma focus are described and shown to agree with measured electrical characteristics, including breakdown time. In the model, avalanche ionization is driven by cathode electron emission, and this results in incomplete gas breakdown along the insulator. This reinforces the importance of the conditioning process that creates a metallic layer on the insulator surface. The simulations, nonetheless, help explain the relationship between the gas pressure, the insulator length, and the coaxial gap width. Previously, researchers noted three breakdown patterns related to pressure. Simulation and analytical results show that at low pressures, long ionization path lengths lead to volumetric breakdown, while high pressures lead to breakdown across the relatively small coaxial electrode gap. In an intermediate pressure regime, ionization path lengths are comparable to the insulator length which promotes ideal breakdown along the insulator surface.

Data mining analysis of factors influencing children's blood pressure in a nation-wide health survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasiewicz, Piotr; Kulaga, Zbigniew; Litwin, Mieczyslaw

2009-06-01

Blood pressure in childhood and adolescents is important indicator of good health and strong predictor of BP in adulthood. Genetic susceptibility, environmental and socioeconomic factors are related both with life style, obesity and cardiovascular risk including elevated BP. Increased body mass index is strictly correlated with BP, and obesity and overweight is main intermediate phenotype of childhood hypertension. However, despite current obesity epidemic available data do not fully support the hypothesis that it has resulted in increase of BP in children. We analysed data obtained from 7591 children participating in nation-wide health survey using data mining methodology. Results reveal relationships of obesity and high blood pressure with school environment characteristics.

Genetic Decreases in Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Simon W. M.; Krege, John H.; Oliver, Paula M.; Hagaman, John R.; Hodgin, Jeffrey B.; Pang, Stephen C.; Flynn, T. Geoffrey; Smithies, Oliver

1995-02-01

To determine if defects in the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) system can cause hypertension, mice were generated with a disruption of the proANP gene. Homozygous mutants had no circulating or atrial ANP, and their blood pressures were elevated by 8 to 23 millimeters of mercury when they were fed standard (0.5 percent sodium chloride) and intermediate (2 percent sodium chloride) salt diets. On standard salt diets, heterozygotes had normal amounts of circulating ANP and normal blood pressures. However, on high (8 percent sodium chloride) salt diets they were hypertensive, with blood pressures elevated by 27 millimeters of mercury. These results demonstrate that genetically reduced production of ANP can lead to salt-sensitive hypertension.

Protonic Conductors for Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cell Electrolytes: Superprotonic CsH2PO4 Stabilization and in-Doped SnP2O7 Structure Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martinez Salinas, Heber Jair

Proton conductor solid electrolytes CsH2PO4 and In-doped tin pyrophosphate have been investigated as candidates to fill a gap of suitable electrolytes for fuel cells at the intermediate temperature range due their unusually high conductivities between 200 and 300 °C. Unfortunately, in the case of CsH2PO4, complicated experimental conditions, like a humidified environment, or high pressure, are needed to preserve the sought high conducting phase. In the first stage of this work, X-ray diffraction on CsH2PO 4 samples performed in air, and under normal conditions of humidity and pressure, evidence of the cubic phase of CsH2PO4 was observed during short intervals of temperature and time, starting at 215 °C and disappearing completely at 265 °C into a dehydrated phase. An AC impedance spectroscopy experimental setup has been assembled and data has been successfully collected on undoped, and doped CsH2PO 4 samples to investigate the effects of chemical and environmental modifications. Measurements performed in the temperature range 200 - 260 °C, and using the frequency range 1 - 6 MHz, showed that the high conducting phase of undoped CsH2PO4 was present for a very short interval of temperature. Additionally, these measurements showed that nano-silica-doped CsH2PO4, and CsH2PO4 under a humidified environment achieve the highest values of conductivity, above 10-2 S cm-1 among the samples tested. In the second stage of this investigation, AC impedance spectroscopy measurements were successfully performed on CsH2PO4 samples in air, at temperatures from 200 - 260 °C, and in the frequency range 1 - 6 MHz, inside a hermetically sealed stainless-steel chamber, which was designed and assembled in-house. Results showed that the highly conducting phase of CsH2PO 4 was achieved at temperatures measured above 230 °C, reaching conductivity values up to 1.7 x10-2 S cm-1, and remaining stable for over 40 hours. Consequent X-ray diffraction analysis of such samples showed that a monoclinic structure, characteristic of room temperature CsH 2PO4, was the only phase present even after the samples had been heated for over 40 hours at a temperature of 250 °C. By using this novel contraption, this has been the first time that undoped CsH2PO 4 has achieved its high conductivity phase and maintained a stable conductivity for a significant amount of time in air, without the use of a humidified environment, and without high pressure in an AC impedance spectroscopy study. Finally, in-house and synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies performed in the Sn1-xInxP2O7 series showed the cubic structure characteristic of the undoped compound at room temperature remains present up to temperatures of 250 °C. Sn0.9In 0.1P2O7, which is known to have the highest conductivity of the compound series, presented an increased unit cell as compared to the rest of the series when measured in air. However, the increased unit cell was not observed when measured under vacuum or an inert gas. Doping did not produce any major distortions on the P2O7 tetrahedra.

Optimized equation of the state of the square-well fluid of variable range based on a fourth-order free-energy expansion.

PubMed

Espíndola-Heredia, Rodolfo; del Río, Fernando; Malijevsky, Anatol

2009-01-14

The free energy of square-well (SW) systems of hard-core diameter sigma with ranges 1 < or = lambda < or = 3 is expanded in a perturbation series. This interval covers most ranges of interest, from short-ranged SW fluids (lambda approximately 1.2) used in modeling colloids to long ranges (lambda approximately 3) where the van der Waals classic approximation holds. The first four terms are evaluated by means of extensive Monte Carlo simulations. The calculations are corrected for the thermodynamic limit and care is taken to evaluate and to control the various sources of error. The results for the first two terms in the series confirm well-known independent results but have an increased estimated accuracy and cover a wider set of well ranges. The results for the third- and fourth-order terms are novel. The free-energy expansion for systems with short and intermediate ranges, 1 < or = lambda < or = 2, is seen to have properties similar to those of systems with longer ranges, 2 < or = lambda < or = 3. An equation of state (EOS) is built to represent the free-energy data. The thermodynamics given by this EOS, confronted against independent computer simulations, is shown to predict accurately the internal energy, pressure, specific heat, and chemical potential of the SW fluids considered and for densities 0 < or = rho sigma(3) < or = 0.9 including subcritical temperatures. This fourth-order theory is estimated to be accurate except for a small region at high density, rho sigma(3) approximately 0.9, and low temperature where terms of still higher order might be needed.

Evolution of the Active Phase of CoMo/Al2O3 Catalysts under Industrial Conditions: a High-Pressure MES Study

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

Dugulan, A.I.; Overweg, A.R.; Craje, M.W.J.

2005-04-26

The behavior of CoMo/Al2O3 catalysts sulfided in H2S/H2 gas mixture, under industrial conditions, was investigated using Moessbauer emission spectroscopy (MES). An intermediate Co-Mo phase is formed after increasing the sulfidation pressure to 4 MPa, favoring the Co-Mo-S phase formation. An increase in the quadrupole splitting value of the Co-sulfide species after treatment at 573 K is proposed as a prerequisite for the formation of ideal Co-Mo-S structures.

Crystallization of calcium oxalate dihydrate in a buffered calcium-containing glucose solution by irradiation with non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurake, Naoyuki; Tanaka, Hiromasa; Ishikawa, Kenji; Nakamura, Kae; Kajiyama, Hiroaki; Kikkawa, Fumitaka; Mizuno, Masaaki; Ikehara, Yuzuru; Hori, Masaru

2017-10-01

Oxalate was synthesized in the glucose solution by irradiation with non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP), in which the NEAPP plume contacted the solution surface, via the generation of several intermediate organic products such as gluconic acid. A thermodynamically unstable phase of calcium oxalate dihydrate crystallized rapidly during incubation of a NEAPP-irradiated glucose solution that contained calcium ions and was buffered at neutral pH. Longer irradiation times increased the growth rate and the number of seed crystals.

A simple kinetic model of a Ne-H2 Penning-plasma laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, G. M.; Stefanova, M. S.; Pramatarov, P. M.

1995-09-01

A simple kinetic model of the Ne-H2 Penning-Plasma Laser (PPL) (NeI 585.3 nm) is proposed. The negative glow of a hollow cathode discharge at intermediate pressures is considered as the active medium. The balance equations for the upper and lower laser levels, electrons, ions and electron energy are solved. The dependences of the laser gain on the discharge conditions (Ne and H2 partial pressures, discharge current) are calculated and measured. The calculated values are in a good agreement with the experimental data.

Kinetics and mechanism studies of switching and association reactions involving Na + -ligand complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, X.; Castleman, A. W., Jr.

1990-08-01

The kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of Na+ṡ(X)n=0-3, X=water, ammonia, and methanol with CH3CN, CH3COCH3, CH3CHO, CH3COOH, CH3COOCH3, NH3, CH3OH, and CH3-O-C2H4-O-CH3(DMOE) were studied at ambient temperature under different pressures. All of the switching (substitution) reactions proceed at near-collision rate and show little dependence on the flow tube pressure, the nature and size of the ligand, or the type of core ions. Interestingly, all of the measured rate constants agree well with predictions based on the parametrized trajectory calculations of Su and Chesnavich [J. Chem. Phys. 76, 5183 (1982)]. The reactions of the bare sodium ion with all neutrals proceed via a three-body association mechanism and the measured rate constants cover a large range from a slow association reaction with NH3, to a near-collision rate with DMOE. The lifetimes and the dissociation rate constants of the intermediate complexes deduced using the parametrized trajectory results, combined with the experimentally determined rates, compare fairly well with predictions based on RRKM theory. The calculations also account for the large isotope effect observed for the clustering of ND3 and NH3 to Na+.

Structure and Properties of Silica Glass Densified in Cold Compression and Hot Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerette, Michael; Ackerson, Michael R.; Thomas, Jay; Yuan, Fenglin; Bruce Watson, E.; Walker, David; Huang, Liping

2015-10-01

Silica glass has been shown in numerous studies to possess significant capacity for permanent densification under pressure at different temperatures to form high density amorphous (HDA) silica. However, it is unknown to what extent the processes leading to irreversible densification of silica glass in cold-compression at room temperature and in hot-compression (e.g., near glass transition temperature) are common in nature. In this work, a hot-compression technique was used to quench silica glass from high temperature (1100 °C) and high pressure (up to 8 GPa) conditions, which leads to density increase of ~25% and Young’s modulus increase of ~71% relative to that of pristine silica glass at ambient conditions. Our experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations provide solid evidences that the intermediate-range order of the hot-compressed HDA silica is distinct from that of the counterpart cold-compressed at room temperature. This explains the much higher thermal and mechanical stability of the former than the latter upon heating and compression as revealed in our in-situ Brillouin light scattering (BLS) experiments. Our studies demonstrate the limitation of the resulting density as a structural indicator of polyamorphism, and point out the importance of temperature during compression in order to fundamentally understand HDA silica.

Organic functional group transformations in water at elevated temperature and pressure: Reversibility, reactivity, and mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shipp, Jessie; Gould, Ian R.; Herckes, Pierre; Shock, Everett L.; Williams, Lynda B.; Hartnett, Hilairy E.

2013-03-01

Many transformation reactions involving hydrocarbons occur in the presence of H2O in hydrothermal systems and deep sedimentary systems. We investigate these reactions using laboratory-based organic chemistry experiments at high temperature and pressure (300 °C and 100 MPa). Organic functional group transformation reactions using model organic compounds based on cyclohexane with one or two methyl groups provided regio- and stereochemical markers that yield information about reversibility and reaction mechanisms. We found rapidly reversible interconversion between alkanes, alkenes, dienes, alcohols, ketones, and enones. The alkane-to-ketone reactions were not only completely reversible, but also exhibited such extensive reversibility that any of the functional groups along the reaction path (alcohol, ketone, and even the diene) could be used as the reactant and form all the other groups as products. There was also a propensity for these ring-based structures to dehydrogenate; presumably from the alkene, through a diene, to an aromatic ring. The product suites provide strong evidence that water behaved as a reactant and the various functional groups showed differing degrees of reactivity. Mechanistically-revealing products indicated reaction mechanisms that involve carbon-centered cation intermediates. This work therefore demonstrates that a wide range of organic compound types can be generated by abiotic reactions at hydrothermal conditions.

A test of the Hall-MHD model: Application to low-frequency upstream waves at Venus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Orlowski, D. S.; Russell, C. T.; Krauss-Varban, D.; Omidi, N.

1994-01-01

Early studies suggested that in the range of parameter space where the wave angular frequency is less than the proton gyrofrequency and the plasma beta, the ratio of the thermal to magnetic pressure, is less than 1 magnetohydrodynamics provides an adequate description of the propagating modes in a plasma. However, recently, Lacombe et al. (1992) have reported significant differences between basic wave characteristics of the specific propagation modes derived from linear Vlasov and Hall-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theories even when the waves are only weakly damped. In this paper we compare the magnetic polarization and normalization magnetic compression ratio of ultra low frequency (ULF) upstream waves at Venus with magnetic polarization and normalized magnetic compression ratio derived from both theories. We find that while the 'kinetic' approach gives magnetic polarization and normalized magnetic compression ratio consistent with the data in the analyzed range of beta (0.5 less than beta less than 5) for the fast magnetosonic mode, the same wave characteristics derived from the Hall-MHD model strongly depend on beta and are consistent with the data only at low beta for the fast mode and at high beta for the intermediate mode.

Draft ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 5, Section HB, Subsection B, Code Case for Alloy 617 and Background Documentation

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

Wright, Julie Knibloe

2015-08-01

Alloy 617 is the leading candidate material for an intermediate heat exchanger for the very high temperature reactor. To evaluate the behavior of this material in the expected service conditions, strain controlled cyclic tests that include long hold times up to 240 minutes at maximum tensile strain were conducted at 850°C. In terms of the total number of cycles to failure, the fatigue resistance decreased when a hold time was added at peak tensile strain. Increases in the tensile hold duration degraded the creep fatigue resistance, at least to the investigated strain controlled hold time of up to 60 minutesmore » at the 0.3% strain range and 240 minutes at the 1.0% strain range. The creep fatigue deformation mode is considered relative to the lack of saturation, or continually decreasing number of cycles to failure with increasing hold times. Additionally, preliminary values from the 850°C creep fatigue data are calculated for the creep fatigue damage diagram and have higher values of creep damage than those from tests at 950°C.« less

Models for attenuation in marine sediments that incorporate structural relaxation processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierce, Allan D.; Carey, William M.; Lynch, James F.

2005-04-01

Biot's model leads to an attenuation coefficient at low frequencies that is proportional to ω2, and such is consistent with physical models of viscous attenuation of fluid flows through narrow constrictions driven by pressure differences between larger fluid pockets within the granular configuration. Much data suggests, however, that the attenuation coefficient is linear in ω for some sediments and over a wide range of frequencies. A common model that predicts such a dependence stems from theoretical work by Stoll and Bryan [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 47, 1440 (1970)], in which the elastic constants of the solid frame are taken to be complex numbers, with small constant imaginary parts. Such invariably leads to a linear ω dependence at sufficiently low frequencies and this conflicts with common intuitive notions. The present paper incorporates structural relaxation, with a generalization of the formulations of Hall [Phys. Rev. 73, 775 (1948)] and Nachman, Smith, and Waag [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 88, 1584 (1990)]. The mathematical form and plausibility of such is established, and it is shown that the dependence is as ω2 at low frequencies, and that a likely realization is one where the dependence is linear in ω at intermediate frequency ranges.

Helium process cycle

DOEpatents

Ganni, Venkatarao

2008-08-12

A unique process cycle and apparatus design separates the consumer (cryogenic) load return flow from most of the recycle return flow of a refrigerator and/or liquefier process cycle. The refrigerator and/or liquefier process recycle return flow is recompressed by a multi-stage compressor set and the consumer load return flow is recompressed by an independent consumer load compressor set that maintains a desirable constant suction pressure using a consumer load bypass control valve and the consumer load return pressure control valve that controls the consumer load compressor's suction pressure. The discharge pressure of this consumer load compressor is thereby allowed to float at the intermediate pressure in between the first and second stage recycle compressor sets. Utilizing the unique gas management valve regulation, the unique process cycle and apparatus design in which the consumer load return flow is separate from the recycle return flow, the pressure ratios of each recycle compressor stage and all main pressures associated with the recycle return flow are allowed to vary naturally, thus providing a naturally regulated and balanced floating pressure process cycle that maintains optimal efficiency at design and off-design process cycle capacity and conditions automatically.

Helium process cycle

DOEpatents

Ganni, Venkatarao

2007-10-09

A unique process cycle and apparatus design separates the consumer (cryogenic) load return flow from most of the recycle return flow of a refrigerator and/or liquefier process cycle. The refrigerator and/or liquefier process recycle return flow is recompressed by a multi-stage compressor set and the consumer load return flow is recompressed by an independent consumer load compressor set that maintains a desirable constant suction pressure using a consumer load bypass control valve and the consumer load return pressure control valve that controls the consumer load compressor's suction pressure. The discharge pressure of this consumer load compressor is thereby allowed to float at the intermediate pressure in between the first and second stage recycle compressor sets. Utilizing the unique gas management valve regulation, the unique process cycle and apparatus design in which the consumer load return flow is separate from the recycle return flow, the pressure ratios of each recycle compressor stage and all main pressures associated with the recycle return flow are allowed to vary naturally, thus providing a naturally regulated and balanced floating pressure process cycle that maintains optimal efficiency at design and off-design process cycle capacity and conditions automatically.

Pedagogical Values of Mobile-Assisted Task-Based Activities to Enhance Speaking Skill

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohammadi, Mojtaba; Safdari, Nastaran

2015-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to examine the impact of online mobile-assisted task-based activities on improving Iranian intermediate English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' speaking skills. To achieve the purpose of the study, 90 intermediate language learners were selected ranging between 13 to 16 years old and divided into three…

Aldehydes and ketones form intermediate π complexes with the Gilman reagent, Me2CuLi, at low temperatures in tetrahydrofuran.

PubMed

Bertz, Steven H; Hardin, Richard A; Ogle, Craig A

2013-07-03

Typical aldehydes and ketones form π complexes with Me2CuLi at low temperatures in tetrahydrofuran. They range in stability from fleeting intermediates at -100 °C to entities that persist up to -20 °C. Three subsequent reaction pathways have been identified.

Determination of Phonation Instability Pressure and Phonation Pressure Range in Excised Larynges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Yu; Reynders, William J.; Jiang, Jack J.; Tateya, Ichiro

2007-01-01

Purpose: The present study was a methodological study designed to reveal the dynamic mechanisms of phonation instability pressure (PIP) using bifurcation analysis. Phonation pressure range (PPR) was also proposed for assessing the pressure range of normal vocal fold vibrations. Method: The authors first introduced the concept of bifurcation on the…

Automatic transducer switching provides accurate wide range measurement of pressure differential

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yoder, S. K.

1967-01-01

Automatic pressure transducer switching network sequentially selects any one of a number of limited-range transducers as gas pressure rises or falls, extending the range of measurement and lessening the chances of damage due to high pressure.

Pressure-induced structural change in liquid GaIn eutectic alloy.

PubMed

Yu, Q; Ahmad, A S; Ståhl, K; Wang, X D; Su, Y; Glazyrin, K; Liermann, H P; Franz, H; Cao, Q P; Zhang, D X; Jiang, J Z

2017-04-25

Synchrotron x-ray diffraction reveals a pressure induced crystallization at about 3.4 GPa and a polymorphic transition near 10.3 GPa when compressed a liquid GaIn eutectic alloy up to ~13 GPa at room temperature in a diamond anvil cell. Upon decompression, the high pressure crystalline phase remains almost unchanged until it transforms to the liquid state at around 2.3 GPa. The ab initio molecular dynamics calculations can reproduce the low pressure crystallization and give some hints on the understanding of the transition between the liquid and the crystalline phase on the atomic level. The calculated pair correlation function g(r) shows a non-uniform contraction reflected by the different compressibility between the short (1st shell) and the intermediate (2nd to 4th shells). It is concluded that the pressure-induced liquid-crystalline phase transformation likely arises from the changes in local atomic packing of the nearest neighbors as well as electronic structures at the transition pressure.

Distribution, facies, ages, and proposed tectonic associations of regionally metamorphosed rocks in east- and south-central Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dusel-Bacon, Cynthia; Csejtey, Bela; Foster, Helen L.; Doyle, Elizabeth O.; Nokleberg, Warren J.; Plafker, George

1993-01-01

Most of the exposed bedrock in east- and south-central Alaska has been regionally metamorphosed and deformed during Mesozoic and early Cenozoic time. All the regionally metamorphosed rocks are assigned to metamorphic-facies units on the basis of their temperature and pressure conditions and metamorphic age. North of the McKinley and Denali faults, the crystalline rocks of the Yukon- Tanana upland and central Alaska Range compose a sequence of dynamothermally metamorphosed Paleozoic and older(?) metasedimentary rocks and metamorphosed products of a Devonian and Mississippian continental-margin magmatic arc. This sequence was extensively intruded by postmetamorphic mid-Cretaceous and younger granitoids. Many metamorphic-unit boundaries in the Yukon-Tanana upland are low-angle faults that juxtapose units of differing metamorphic grade, which indicates that metamorphism predated final emplacement of the fault-bounded units. In some places, the relation of metamorphic grade across a fault is best explained by contractional faulting; in other places, it is suggestive of extensional faulting.Near the United States-Canadian border in the central Yukon- Tanana upland, metamorphism, plutonism, and thrusting occurred during a latest Triassic and Early Jurassic event that presumably resulted from the accretion of a terrane that had affinities to the Stikinia terrane onto the continental margin of North America. Elsewhere in the Yukon-Tanana upland, metamorphic rocks give predominantly late Early Cretaceous isotopic ages. These ages are interpreted to date either the timing of a subsequent Early Cretaceous episode of crustal thickening and metamorphism or, assuming that these other areas were also originally heated during the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic and remained buried, the timing of their uplift and cooling. This uplift and cooling may have resulted from extension.South of the McKinley and Denali faults and north of the Border Ranges fault system, medium-grade metamorphism across much of the southern Peninsular and Wrangellia terranes was early to synkinematic with the intrusion of tonalitic and granodioritic plutons of primarily Early and Middle Jurassic age in the Peninsular terrane and Late Jurassic age in the Wrangellia terrane. Areas metamorphosed during the Jurassic episode that crop out near the Border Ranges fault system were subsequently retrograded and deformed in Cretaceous and early Tertiary time during accretion of younger units to the south. North of the Jurassic metamorphic and plutonic complex, low-grade metamorphism affected the rest of the Wrangellia terrane sometime during Jurassic and (or) Cretaceous time.North of the Wrangellia terrane and immediately south of the McKinley and Denali faults, flyschoid rocks, which were deposited within a basin that separated the Wrangellia terrane from the western margin of North America, form a northeastward-tapering wedge. Within the western half of the wedge, flysch and structurally interleaved tectonic fragments were highly deformed and weakly metamorphosed; much of the metamorphism and deformation probably occurred sometime during mid- to Late Cretaceous time. In the eastern half of the wedge, flyschoid rocks form an intermediate-pressure Barrovian sequence (Maclaren metamorphic belt). Metamorphism of the Maclaren metamorphic belt was synkinematic with the Late Cretaceous to earliest Tertiary intrusion of foliated plutons of intermediate composition. Isotopic data suggest metamorphism extended into the early Tertiary and was accompanied by rapid uplift and cooling. Low- to medium-grade metamorphism throughout the wedge was probably associated with the accretion of the outboard Wrangellia terrane, as has been proposed for the Maclaren metamorphic belt.South of the Border Ranges fault system lie variably metamorphosed sequences of oceanic rocks that comprise the successively accreted Chugach, Yakutat, Ghost Rocks, and Prince William terranes. The Chugach terrane consists of three successively accreted sequences of differing metamorphic histories. Metamorphism in all the sequences was associated with north-directed underthrusting beneath either the combined Peninsular-Wrangellia terrane or the older and inner parts of the Chugach terrane. These sequences, from innermost to outermost are: (1) intermediate- to highpressure, transitional greenschist- to blueschist-facies metabasalt and metasedimentary rocks that were metamorphosed during the Early and Middle Jurassic; (2) prehnite-pumpellyite-facies melange that was metamorphosed sometime during the Jurassic and Cretaceous; and (3) low-pressure prehnite-pumpellyite- or greenschist- facies flysch and metavolcanic rocks that were initially metamorphosed during latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary time and, in the eastern Chugach Mountains, were subsequently overprinted by low-pressure amphibolite-facies metamorphism that accompanied widespread intrusion during Eocene time. A similar low-pressure-facies series also developed within melange and flysch of the Yakutat terrane; these rocks are also intruded by Eocene plutons and are correlated with similar rocks of the Chugach terrane.Seaward of the Chugach terrane are the strongly deformed but weakly metamorphosed (prehnite-pumpellyite-facies) deep-sea metasedimentary rocks and oceanic metavolcanic rocks of the Ghost Rocks and Prince William terranes. Metamorphism and deformation occurred during underthrusting of these terranes beneath the Chugach terrane in early Tertiary time and predated, perhaps by very little, intrusion by early Tertiary granitoids.

A micro-machined piezoelectric flexural-mode hydrophone with air backing: a hydrostatic pressure-balancing mechanism for integrity preservation.

PubMed

Choi, Sungjoon; Lee, Haksue; Moon, Wonkyu

2010-09-01

Although an air-backed thin plate is an effective sound receiver structure, it is easily damaged via pressure unbalance caused by external hydrostatic pressure. To overcome this difficulty, a simple pressure-balancing module is proposed. Despite its small size and relative simplicity, with proper design and operation, micro-channel structure provides a solution to the pressure-balancing problem. If the channel size is sufficiently small, the gas-liquid interface may move back and forth without breach by the hydrostatic pressure since the surface tension can retain the interface surface continuously. One input port of the device is opened to an intermediate liquid, while the other port is connected to the air-backing chamber. As the hydrostatic pressure increases, the liquid in the micro-channel compresses the air, and the pressure in the backing chamber is then equalized to match the external hydrostatic pressure. To validate the performance of the proposed mechanism, a micro-channel prototype is designed and integrated with the piezoelectric micro-machined flexural sensor developed in our previous work. The working principle of the mechanism is experimentally verified. In addition, the effect of hydrostatic pressure on receiving sensitivity is evaluated and compared with predicted behavior.

Short, intermediate and long range order in amorphous ices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martelli, Fausto; Torquato, Salvatore; Giovanbattista, Nicolas; Car, Roberto

Water exhibits polyamorphism, i.e., it exists in more than one amorphous state. The most common forms of glassy water are the low-density amorphous (LDA) and the high-density amorphous (HDA) ices. LDA, the most abundant form of ice in the Universe, transforms into HDA upon isothermal compression. We model the transformation of LDA into HDA under isothermal compression with classical molecular dynamics simulations. We analyze the molecular structures with a recently introduced scalar order metric to measure short and intermediate range order. In addition, we rank the structures by their degree of hyperuniformity, i.e.,the extent to which long range density fluctuations are suppressed. F.M. and R.C. acknowledge support from the Department of Energy (DOE) under Grant No. DE-SC0008626.

Characterization of a transient +2 sulfur oxidation state intermediate from the oxidation of aqueous sulfide

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

Vairavmurthy, M.A.; Zhou, Weiqing

1995-04-01

The oxidation H{sub 2}S to sulfate involves a net transfer of eight electrons and occurs through the formation of several partially oxidized intermediates with oxidation states ranging from {minus}1 to +5. Known intermediates include elemental sulfur (oxidation state 0), polysulfides (outer sulfur: {minus}1, inner sulfur: 0), sulfite (+4) and thiosulfate (outer sulfur: {minus}1, inner sulfur: +5). A noticeable gap in this series of intermediates is that of a +2 sulfur oxidation state oxoacid/oxoanion species, which was never detected experimentally. Here, we present evidence of the transient existence of +2 oxidation state intermediate in the Ni(II)-catalyzed oxidation of aqueous sulfide. X-raymore » absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy and Fourier-transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used to characterize this species; they suggest that it has a sulfoxylate ion (SO{sub 2}{sup 2{minus}}) structure.« less

77 FR 39157 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-02

... Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT...-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines. That AD currently requires inspecting the intermediate-pressure (IP... RR model RB211-Trent 970-84, 970B-84, 972-84, 972B-84, 977-84, 977B-84, and 980-84 turbofan engines...

76 FR 36981 - Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211-Trent 500 Series Turbofan Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce plc RB211--Trent 500 Series Turbofan Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation... condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as: A Trent 500 engine has been found with thermal distress of the Intermediate Pressure (IP) Turbine Nozzle Guide Vanes. The resultant...

Accelerated aging of phenolic-bonded flakeboards

Treesearch

Andrew J. Baker; Robert H. Gillespie

1978-01-01

Specimens of phenolic-bonded flakeboard, vertical-grain southern pine and Douglas-fir, and marine-grade Douglas-fir plywood were exposed to four accelerated aging situations. These consisted of: 1) Multiple cycles of boiling and elevated-temperature drying, 2) multiple cycles of vacuum- pressure soaking and intermediate-temperature drying, 3) the six-cycle ASTM D-1037...

RELAP5-3D Modeling of Heat Transfer Components (Intermediate Heat Exchanger and Helical-Coil Steam Generator) for NGNP Application

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

N. A. Anderson; P. Sabharwall

2014-01-01

The Next Generation Nuclear Plant project is aimed at the research and development of a helium-cooled high-temperature gas reactor that could generate both electricity and process heat for the production of hydrogen. The heat from the high-temperature primary loop must be transferred via an intermediate heat exchanger to a secondary loop. Using RELAP5-3D, a model was developed for two of the heat exchanger options a printed-circuit heat exchanger and a helical-coil steam generator. The RELAP5-3D models were used to simulate an exponential decrease in pressure over a 20 second period. The results of this loss of coolant analysis indicate thatmore » heat is initially transferred from the primary loop to the secondary loop, but after the decrease in pressure in the primary loop the heat is transferred from the secondary loop to the primary loop. A high-temperature gas reactor model should be developed and connected to the heat transfer component to simulate other transients.« less

Differential effects of dietary sodium intake on blood pressure and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice.

PubMed

Lu, Hong; Wu, Congqing; Howatt, Deborah A; Balakrishnan, Anju; Charnigo, Richard J; Cassis, Lisa A; Daugherty, Alan

2013-01-01

The amount of dietary sodium intake regulates the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and blood pressure, both of which play critical roles in atherosclerosis. However, there are conflicting findings regarding the effects of dietary sodium intake on atherosclerosis. This study applied a broad range of dietary sodium concentrations to determine the concomitant effects of dietary sodium intake on the RAS, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis in mice. Eight-week-old male low-density lipoprotein receptor -/- mice were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet containing selected sodium concentrations (Na 0.01%, 0.1%, or 2% w/w) for 12 weeks. Mice in these three groups were all hypercholesterolemic, although mice fed Na 0.01% and Na 0.1% had higher plasma cholesterol concentrations than mice fed Na 2%. Mice fed Na 0.01% had greater abundances of renal renin mRNA than those fed Na 0.1% and 2%. Plasma renin concentrations were higher in mice fed Na 0.01% (14.2 ± 1.7 ng/ml/30 min) than those fed Na 0.1% or 2% (6.2 ± 0.6 and 5.8 ± 1.6 ng/ml per 30 min, respectively). However, systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks was higher in mice fed Na 2% (138 ± 3 mm Hg) than those fed Na 0.01% and 0.1% (129 ± 3 and 128 ± 4 mmHg, respectively). In contrast, mice fed Na 0.01% (0.17 ± 0.02 mm(2)) had larger atherosclerotic lesion areas in aortic roots than those fed Na 2% (0.09 ± 0.01 mm(2)), whereas lesion areas in mice fed Na 0.1% (0.12 ± 0.02 mm(2)) were intermediate between and not significantly different from those in Na 0.01% and Na 2% groups. In conclusion, while high dietary sodium intake led to higher systolic blood pressure, low dietary sodium intake augmented atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differential effects of dietary sodium intake on blood pressure and atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice☆

PubMed Central

Lu, Hong; Wu, Congqing; Howatt, Deborah A.; Balakrishnan, Anju; Charnigo, Richard J.; Cassis, Lisa A.; Daugherty, Alan

2012-01-01

The amount of dietary sodium intake regulates the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and blood pressure, both of which play critical roles in atherosclerosis. However, there are conflicting findings regarding the effects of dietary sodium intake on atherosclerosis. This study applied a broad range of dietary sodium concentrations to determine the concomitant effects of dietary sodium intake on the RAS, blood pressure, and atherosclerosis in mice. Eight-week-old male low-density lipoprotein receptor −/− mice were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet containing selected sodium concentrations (Na 0.01%, 0.1%, or 2% w/w) for 12 weeks. Mice in these three groups were all hypercholesterolemic, although mice fed Na 0.01% and Na 0.1% had higher plasma cholesterol concentrations than mice fed Na 2%. Mice fed Na 0.01% had greater abundances of renal renin mRNA than those fed Na 0.1% and 2%. Plasma renin concentrations were higher in mice fed Na 0.01% (14.2±1.7 ng/ml/30 min) than those fed Na 0.1% or 2% (6.2±0.6 and 5.8±1.6 ng/ml per 30 min, respectively). However, systolic blood pressure at 12 weeks was higher in mice fed Na 2% (138±3 mm Hg) than those fed Na 0.01% and 0.1% (129±3 and 128±4 mmHg, respectively). In contrast, mice fed Na 0.01% (0.17±0.02 mm2) had larger atherosclerotic lesion areas in aortic roots than those fed Na 2% (0.09±0.01 mm2), whereas lesion areas in mice fed Na 0.1% (0.12±0.02 mm2) were intermediate between and not significantly different from those in Na 0.01% and Na 2% groups. In conclusion, while high dietary sodium intake led to higher systolic blood pressure, low dietary sodium intake augmented atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic mice. PMID:22705323

Growth history of Kilauea inferred from volatile concentrations in submarine-collected basalts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coombs, Michelle L.; Sisson, Thomas W.; Lipman, Peter W.

2006-03-01

Major-element and volatile (H 2O, CO 2, S) compositions of glasses from the submarine flanks of Kilauea Volcano record its growth from pre-shield into tholeiite shield-stage. Pillow lavas of mildly alkalic basalt at 2600-1900 mbsl on the upper slope of the south flank are an intermediate link between deeper alkalic volcaniclastics and the modern tholeiite shield. Lava clast glasses from the west flank of Papau Seamount are subaerial Mauna Loa-like tholeiite and mark the contact between the two volcanoes. H 2O and CO 2 in sandstone and breccia glasses from the Hilina bench, and in alkalic to tholeiitic pillow glasses above and to the east, were measured by FTIR. Volatile saturation pressures equal sampling depths (10 MPa = 1000 m water) for south flank and Puna Ridge pillow lavas, suggesting recovery near eruption depths and/or vapor re-equilibration during down-slope flow. South flank glasses are divisible into low-pressure (CO 2 < 40 ppm, H 2O < 0.5 wt.%, S < 500 ppm), moderate-pressure (CO 2 < 40 ppm, H 2O > 0.5 wt.%, S 1000-1700 ppm), and high-pressure groups (CO 2 > 40 ppm, S > ˜1000 ppm), corresponding to eruption ≥ sea level, at moderate water depths (300-1000 m) or shallower but in disequilibrium, and in deep water (> 1000 m). Saturation pressures range widely in early alkalic to strongly alkalic breccia clast and sandstone glasses, establishing that early Kīlauea's vents spanned much of Mauna Loa's submarine flank, with some vents exceeding sea level. Later south flank alkalic pillow lavas expose a sizeable submarine edifice that grew concurrent with nearby subaerial alkalic eruptions. The onset of the tholeiitic shield stage is marked by extension of eruptions eastward and into deeper water (to 5500 m) during growth of the Puna Ridge. Subaerial and shallow water eruptions from earliest Kilauea show that it is underlain shallowly by Mauna Loa, implying that Mauna Loa is larger, and Kilauea smaller, than previously recognized.

Cardiovascular Safety of Droxidopa in Patients With Symptomatic Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension.

PubMed

White, William B; Hauser, Robert A; Rowse, Gerald J; Ziemann, Adam; Hewitt, L Arthur

2017-04-01

The norepinephrine prodrug droxidopa improves symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, a condition that is associated with diseases of neurogenic autonomic failure (e.g., Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure). These conditions are more prevalent in older patients who also have cardiovascular co-morbidities. Hence, we evaluated the cardiovascular safety of droxidopa in patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension who participated in randomized controlled studies (short-term studies of 1 to 2 weeks and an intermediate 8- to 10-week study) and long-term open-label studies. Rates of cardiovascular adverse events (AEs) for patients treated with droxidopa were 4.4% in the intermediate study and 10.8% in the long-term open-label studies. Adjusting for exposure time, cardiovascular AE rates were 0.30 events/patient-year in the short-term and intermediate studies and 0.15 events/patient-year in the long-term open-label studies. The incidence of treatment discontinuation due to blood pressure-related events was approximately 2.5%. Among patients with a history of cardiac disorders at baseline, the rates of cardiovascular-related and blood pressure-related AEs were nominally higher with droxidopa compared to placebo. Most of these events were minor atrial arrhythmias; none were major adverse cardiovascular events or deaths. In conclusion, small increases in cardiovascular AEs were observed with droxidopa compared to placebo; this was most evident in patients with preexisting cardiac disorders. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The use of denaturing high-pressure liquid chromatography for the detection of mutations in thiopurine methyltransferase.

PubMed

Hall, A G; Hamilton, P; Minto, L; Coulthard, S A

2001-01-30

The level of expression of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) is an important determinant of the metabolism of drugs used both in the treatment of acute leukaemia (6-mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine) and as an immunosuppressant in patients with autoimmune diseases or following organ transplantation (azathioprine). Studies of enzyme activity in red blood cells have shown that TPMT expression displays genetic polymorphism with 11% of individuals having intermediate and one in 300 undetectable levels. Patients with biallelic mutations and undetectable enzyme activity suffer life-threatening myelosuppression when treated with conventional doses of these drugs. Patients with intermediate activity have an increased risk of drug-associated toxicity. In the Caucasian populations studied to date, intermediate activity is associated with mutations at two sites of the TPMT gene, G460A and A719G (designated TPMT*3A), in 80% of cases. Detection of these mutations has, to date, been based on the analysis of restriction digests of PCR products. In order to simplify this process we have investigated the ability of denaturing high pressure liquid chromatography (DHPLC) to detect the A719G mutation. DHPLC of PCR products from 15 known heterozygotes (TPMT*3A/TPMT*1) and 18 known homozygotes (TPMT*1/TPMT*1) gave a clear pattern difference between the groups and 100% concordance with the results of restriction digests. These results suggest DHPLC represents a valuable technique for accurate and rapid detection of pharmacologically important mutations in the TPMT gene.

Near wall cooling for a highly tapered turbine blade

DOEpatents

Liang, George [Palm City, FL

2011-03-08

A turbine blade having a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall connected at chordally spaced leading and trailing edges to define a cooling cavity. Pressure and suction side inner walls extend radially within the cooling cavity and define pressure and suction side near wall chambers. A plurality of mid-chord channels extend radially from a radially intermediate location on the blade to a tip passage at the blade tip for connecting the pressure side and suction side near wall chambers in fluid communication with the tip passage. In addition, radially extending leading edge and trailing edge flow channels are located adjacent to the leading and trailing edges, respectively, and cooling fluid flows in a triple-pass serpentine path as it flows through the leading edge flow channel, the near wall chambers and the trailing edge flow channel.

Effect of Fe-site Substitution on Pressure-induced Spin Transition in SrFeO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawakami, Takateru; Yamamoto, Takafumi; Yata, Kanami; Ishii, Minoru; Watanabe, Yoshitaka; Mizumaki, Masaichiro; Kawamura, Naomi; Ishimatsu, Naoki; Takahashi, Hiroki; Okada, Taku; Yagi, Takehiko; Kageyama, Hiroshi

2017-12-01

The effect of Fe-site substitution on structural and physical properties of the infinite layer iron oxide SrFeO2 was investigated under high pressure by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and electrical resistance measurements using a diamond-anvil cell. Both 20% Mn- and Co-substituted samples exhibit spin transitions from a high-spin (S = 2) to an intermediate-spin (S = 1) state at Pc ˜ 32 GPa, which is much the same pressure 33 GPa observed in SrFeO2. This result indicates that the spin transition pressure is insensitive to the d-orbital electron counts [Mn2+ (d5), Fe2+ (d6), Co2+ (d7)], but is governed by the local structure around the Fe site.

Generation of energy

DOEpatents

Kalina, Alexander I.

1984-01-01

A method of generating energy which comprises utilizing relatively lower temperature available heat to effect partial distillation of at least portion of a multicomponent working fluid stream at an intermediate pressure to generate working fluid fractions of differing compositions. The fractions are used to produce at least one main rich solution which is relatively enriched with respect to the lower boiling component, and to produce at least one lean solution which is relatively improverished with respect to the lower boiling component. The pressure of the main rich solution is increased whereafter it is evaporated to produce a charged gaseous main working fluid. The main working fluid is expanded to a low pressure level to release energy. The spent low pressure level working fluid is condensed in a main absorption stage by dissolving with cooling in the lean solution to regenerate an initial working fluid for reuse.

Damped spin waves in the intermediate ordered phases in Ni 3V 2O 8

DOE PAGES

Ehlers, Georg; Podlesnyak, Andrey A.; Frontzek, Matthias D.; ...

2015-06-09

Here, spin dynamics in the intermediate ordered phases (between 4 and 9 K) in Ni 3V 2O 8 have been studied with inelastic neutron scattering. It is found that the spin waves are very diffuse, indicative of short lived correlations and the coexistence of paramagnetic moments with the long-range ordered state.

High-lying intermediate excitations in the nuclear effective interaction with a super-soft-core potential

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

Goode, P.R.; Barrett, B.R.; Portilho, O.

1979-02-01

The earlier calculations of Goode and Barrett are repeated using the super-soft-core potential of Gogny, Pires, and de Tourreil. The particular third-order folded diagram which they calculated now converges in its intermediate-state energy summation, because of the suppression of the strong short-range repulsive effects present in earlier calculations.

Drainage fracture networks in elastic solids with internal fluid generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobchenko, Maya; Hafver, Andreas; Jettestuen, Espen; Galland, Olivier; Renard, François; Meakin, Paul; Jamtveit, Bjørn; Dysthe, Dag K.

2013-06-01

Experiments in which CO2 gas was generated by the yeast fermentation of sugar in an elastic layer of gelatine gel confined between two glass plates are described and analyzed theoretically. The CO2 gas pressure causes the gel layer to fracture. The gas produced is drained on short length scales by diffusion and on long length scales by flow in a fracture network, which has topological properties that are intermediate between river networks and hierarchical-fracture networks. A simple model for the experimental system with two parameters that characterize the disorder and the intermediate (river-fracture) topology of the network was developed and the results of the model were compared with the experimental results.

Elimination of Intermediate-Frequency Combustion Instability in the Fastrac Engine Thrust Chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rocker, Marvin; Nesman, Tomas E.; Turner, Jim E. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

A series of tests were conducted to measure the combustion performance of the Fastrac engine thrust chamber. The thrust chamber exhibited benign, yet marginally unstable combustion. The marginally unstable combustion was characterized by chamber pressure oscillations with large amplitudes and a frequency that was too low to be identified as acoustic or high-frequency combustion instability and too high to be identified as chug or low-frequency combustion instability. The source of the buzz or intermediate-frequency combustion instability was traced to the fuel venturi whose violently noisy cavitation caused resonance in the feedline downstream. Combustion was stabilized by increasing the throat diameter of the fuel venturi such that the cavitation would occur more quietly.

Chemically Activated Formation of Organic Acids in Reactions of the Criegee Intermediate with Aldehydes and Ketones

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

Jalan, Amrit; Allen, Joshua W.; Green, William H.

Reactions of the Criegee intermediate (CI, .CH2OO.) are important in atmospheric ozonolysis models. In this work, we compute the rates for reactions between .CH2OO. and HCHO, CH3CHO and CH3COCH3 leading to the formation of secondary ozonides (SOZ) and organic acids. Relative to infinitely separated reactants, the SOZ in all three cases is found to be 48–51 kcal mol-1 lower in energy, formed via 1,3- cycloaddition of .CH2OO. across the CQO bond. The lowest energy pathway found for SOZ decomposition is intramolecular disproportionation of the singlet biradical intermediate formed from cleavage of the O–O bond to form hydroxyalkyl esters. These hydroxyalkylmore » esters undergo concerted decomposition providing a low energy pathway from SOZ to acids. Geometries and frequencies of all stationary points were obtained using the B3LYP/MG3S DFT model chemistry, and energies were refined using RCCSD(T)-F12a/cc-pVTZ-F12 single-point calculations. RRKM calculations were used to obtain microcanonical rate coefficients (k(E)) and the reservoir state method was used to obtain temperature and pressure dependent rate coefficients (k(T, P)) and product branching ratios. At atmospheric pressure, the yield of collisionally stabilized SOZ was found to increase in the order HCHO o CH3CHO o CH3COCH3 (the highest yield being 10-4 times lower than the initial .CH2OO. concentration). At low pressures, chemically activated formation of organic acids (formic acid in the case of HCHO and CH3COCH3, formic and acetic acid in the case of CH3CHO) was found to be the major product channel in agreement with recent direct measurements. Collisional energy transfer parameters and the barrier heights for SOZ reactions were found to be the most sensitive parameters determining SOZ and organic acid yield.« less

Process for the deposition of high temperature stress and oxidation resistant coatings on silicon-based substrates

DOEpatents

Sarin, V.K.

1991-07-30

A process is disclosed for depositing a high temperature stress and oxidation resistant coating on a silicon nitride- or silicon carbide-based substrate body. A gas mixture is passed over the substrate at about 900--1500 C and about 1 torr to about ambient pressure. The gas mixture includes one or more halide vapors with other suitable reactant gases. The partial pressure ratios, flow rates, and process times are sufficient to deposit a continuous, fully dense, adherent coating. The halide and other reactant gases are gradually varied during deposition so that the coating is a graded coating of at least two layers. Each layer is a graded layer changing in composition from the material over which it is deposited to the material of the layer and further to the material, if any, deposited thereon, so that no clearly defined compositional interfaces exist. The gases and their partial pressures are varied according to a predetermined time schedule and the halide and other reactant gases are selected so that the layers include (a) an adherent, continuous intermediate layer about 0.5-20 microns thick of an aluminum nitride or an aluminum oxynitride material, over and chemically bonded to the substrate body, and (b) an adherent, continuous first outer layer about 0.5-900 microns thick including an oxide of aluminum or zirconium over and chemically bonded to the intermediate layer.

Process for the deposition of high temperature stress and oxidation resistant coatings on silicon-based substrates

DOEpatents

Sarin, Vinod K.

1991-01-01

A process for depositing a high temperature stress and oxidation resistant coating on a silicon nitride- or silicon carbide-based substrate body. A gas mixture is passed over the substrate at about 900.degree.-1500.degree. C. and about 1 torr to about ambient pressure. The gas mixture includes one or more halide vapors with other suitable reactant gases. The partial pressure ratios, flow rates, and process times are sufficient to deposit a continuous, fully dense, adherent coating. The halide and other reactant gases are gradually varied during deposition so that the coating is a graded coating of at least two layers. Each layer is a graded layer changing in composition from the material over which it is deposited to the material of the layer and further to the material, if any, deposited thereon, so that no clearly defined compositional interfaces exist. The gases and their partial pressures are varied according to a predetermined time schedule and the halide and other reactant gases are selected so that the layers include (a) an adherent, continuous intermediate layer about 0.5-20 microns thick of an aluminum nitride or an aluminum oxynitride material, over and chemically bonded to the substrate body, and (b) an adherent, continuous first outer layer about 0.5-900 microns thick including an oxide of aluminum or zirconium over and chemically bonded to the intermediate layer.

Evaluation of pulsed laser deposited SrNb0.1Co0.9O3-δ thin films as promising cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dengjie; Chen, Chi; Gao, Yang; Zhang, Zhenbao; Shao, Zongping; Ciucci, Francesco

2015-11-01

SrNb0.1Co0.9O3-δ (SNC) thin films prepared on single-crystal yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes are evaluated as promising cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Geometrically well-defined polycrystalline SNC thin films with low surface roughness and high surface oxygen vacancy concentration are successfully fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. The thin films are characterized by basic techniques, e.g., X-ray diffraction for phase structure identification, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy for microstructures measurement, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for elements quantification. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to investigate oxygen reduction reaction activities of SNC thin films in symmetric electrochemical cells. Current collectors (Ag paste, Ag strip, and Au strip) are found to have negligible impact on polarization resistances. A slight decrease of the electrode polarization resistances is observed after adding a samarium doped ceria (SDC) buffer layer between SNC and YSZ. SNC thin-film electrodes exhibit low electrode polarization resistances, e.g., 0.237 Ω cm2 (SNC/SDC/YSZ/SDC/SNC) and 0.274 Ω cm2 (SNC/YSZ/SNC) at 700 °C and 0.21 atm, demonstrating the promise of SNC materials for IT-SOFCs. An oxygen reduction reaction mechanism of SNC thin films is also derived by analyzing EIS at temperature of 550-700 °C under oxygen partial pressure range of 0.04-1 atm.

Wettability impact on supercritical CO2 capillary trapping: Pore-scale visualization and quantification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Ran; Wan, Jiamin; Kim, Yongman; Tokunaga, Tetsu K.

2017-08-01

How the wettability of pore surfaces affects supercritical (sc) CO2 capillary trapping in geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) is not well understood, and available evidence appears inconsistent. Using a high-pressure micromodel-microscopy system with image analysis, we studied the impact of wettability on scCO2 capillary trapping during short-term brine flooding (80 s, 8-667 pore volumes). Experiments on brine displacing scCO2 were conducted at 8.5 MPa and 45°C in water-wet (static contact angle θ = 20° ± 8°) and intermediate-wet (θ = 94° ± 13°) homogeneous micromodels under four different flow rates (capillary number Ca ranging from 9 × 10-6 to 8 × 10-4) with a total of eight conditions (four replicates for each). Brine invasion processes were recorded and statistical analysis was performed for over 2000 images of scCO2 saturations, and scCO2 cluster characteristics. The trapped scCO2 saturation under intermediate-wet conditions is 15% higher than under water-wet conditions under the slowest flow rate (Ca ˜ 9 × 10-6). Based on the visualization and scCO2 cluster analysis, we show that the scCO2 trapping process in our micromodels is governed by bypass trapping that is enhanced by the larger contact angle. Smaller contact angles enhance cooperative pore filling and widen brine fingers (or channels), leading to smaller volumes of scCO2 being bypassed. Increased flow rates suppress this wettability effect.

OBESITY PHENOTYPES IN URBAN MIDDLE-CLASS COHORTS; THE PRIT-LINDAVISTA MERGING EVIDENCE IN MEXICO: THE OPUS PRIME STUDY.

PubMed

Fanghänel-Salmón, Guillermo; Gutiérrez-Salmeán, Gabriela; Samaniego, Virginia; Meaney, Alejandra; Sánchez-Reyes, Leticia; Navarrete, Ulises; Alcocer, Luis; Olivares-Corichi, Ivonne; Najera, Nayeli; Ceballos, Guillermo; Meaney, Eduardo

2015-07-01

even though overweight and obesity (O/O) are stated diseases, there is still a claim for a so-called "healthy obese" phenotype. Only few reports have explored the presence of different metabolic phenotypes along the body mass index (BMI) range and their corresponding associations to cardiovascular risks. as of BMI, and according to the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) features (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glycemia, and lipid profile), phenotypes were determined. Cardiovascular risk was estimated with atherogenic quotients: total cholesterol/ HDL-c, LDL-c/HDL-c and the triglycerides (TG)/HDL-c index. in 8 405 mexican adults, 36% lean, 43% overweighed and 21% obese, nine phenotypes were identified: for each weight category there were subjects with normal metabolism (none MS factors), intermediate (≤ 2) and dysmetabolic (≥ 3). Only 10.8% of O/O had normal metabolism, and 5.8% of the lean persons were dysmetabolic. Atherogenic risk was higher in dysmetabolic obese persons, but the risk was high among all dysmetabolic people, independently of the weight status. TG/HDL-c showed the same trend. elevated cardiometabolic risk derives from the high prevalence of O/O. A great proportion of non-obese people have intermediate dysmetabolism. A genetic predisposition to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and dyslipidemia in Mexican population is blended to an unhealthy lifestyle, yielding to a catastrophic epidemic of diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Effect of impurity on high pressure behavior of nano indium titanate

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

Chitnis, Abhishek, E-mail: abhishekchitnis87@gmail.com; Garg, Nandini; Mishra, A. K.

2015-06-24

Angle dispersive x-ray diffraction studies were carried out on a mixture of nano particles of indium titanate, indium oxide, and disordered TiO{sub 2} upto pressures of ∼ 45 GPa. Our studies show that indium titanate undergoes a partial decomposition to its constituent high pressure oxides. However, concomitantly a very small fraction of indium titanate transforms to a denser phase at ∼ 27.5 GPa. This transformation to new phase was found to be irreversible. At this pressure even cubic In{sub 2}O{sub 3} transformed to the In{sub 2}O{sub 3} (II) (iso-structural to Rh{sub 2}O{sub 3} (II)) phase, without any signature of themore » intermediate corundum phase. The high pressure In{sub 2}O{sub 3} (II) phase transforms to the corundum structure on release of pressure. These studies indicate that the presence of a large fraction of seed impurities could have facilitated the decomposition of indium titanate into its constituent oxides at the cost of its incomplete transformation to the high pressure denser phase.« less

Tracking the behavior of Maillard browning in lysine/arginine-sugar model systems under high hydrostatic pressure.

PubMed

Ma, Xiao-Juan; Gao, Jin-Yan; Tong, Ping; Li, Xin; Chen, Hong-Bing

2017-12-01

High-pressure processing is gaining popularity in the food industry. However, its effect on the Maillard reaction during high-pressure-assisted pasteurization and sterilization is not well documented. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the Maillard reaction during these processes using amino acid (lysine or arginine)-sugar (glucose or fructose) solution models. High pressure retarded the intermediate and final stages of the Maillard reaction in the lysine-sugar model. For the lysine-glucose model, the degradation rate of Amadori compounds was decelerated, while acceleration was observed in the arginine-sugar model. Increased temperature not only accelerated the Maillard reaction over time but also formed fluorescent compounds with different emission wavelengths. Lysine reacted with the sugars more readily than arginine under the same conditions. In addition, it was easier for lysine to react with glucose, whereas arginine reacted more readily with fructose under high pressure. High pressure exerts different effects on lysine-sugar and arginine-sugar models. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Graphene-Based Resistive Pressure Sensor with Record-High Sensitivity in a Wide Pressure Range

PubMed Central

Tian, He; Shu, Yi; Wang, Xue-Feng; Mohammad, Mohammad Ali; Bie, Zhi; Xie, Qian-Yi; Li, Cheng; Mi, Wen-Tian; Yang, Yi; Ren, Tian-Ling

2015-01-01

Pressure sensors are a key component in electronic skin (e-skin) sensing systems. Most reported resistive pressure sensors have a high sensitivity at low pressures (<5 kPa) to enable ultra-sensitive detection. However, the sensitivity drops significantly at high pressures (>5 kPa), which is inadequate for practical applications. For example, actions like a gentle touch and object manipulation have pressures below 10 kPa, and 10–100 kPa, respectively. Maintaining a high sensitivity in a wide pressure range is in great demand. Here, a flexible, wide range and ultra-sensitive resistive pressure sensor with a foam-like structure based on laser-scribed graphene (LSG) is demonstrated. Benefitting from the large spacing between graphene layers and the unique v-shaped microstructure of the LSG, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor is as high as 0.96 kPa−1 in a wide pressure range (0 ~ 50 kPa). Considering both sensitivity and pressure sensing range, the pressure sensor developed in this work is the best among all reported pressure sensors to date. A model of the LSG pressure sensor is also established, which agrees well with the experimental results. This work indicates that laser scribed flexible graphene pressure sensors could be widely used for artificial e-skin, medical-sensing, bio-sensing and many other areas. PMID:25721159

The thermally reversing window in ternary GexPxS1-2x glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vempati, U.; Boolchand, P.

2004-11-01

GexPxS1-2x glasses in the compositional range 0.05 \\le x \\le 0.19 have been synthesized and examined in temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) and Raman scattering experiments. Trends in the non-reversing enthalpy ΔHnr(x) near Tg show the term to almost vanish in the 0.090(5)0.135. In analogy to previous results on chalcogenide glasses, we identify compositions at x<0.09 to be elastically floppy, those in the 0.0900.135 to be stressed rigid. MDSC results also show that the ΔHnr term ages in the stressed-rigid and floppy phases but not in the intermediate phase. The intermediate phase is viewed to be a self-organized phase of a disordered network. It consists of at least four isostatically rigid local structures: corner-sharing GeS4, edge-sharing GeS2, pyramidal P(S1/2)3 and quasi-tetrahedral S = P(S1/2)3 units for which evidence comes from Raman scattering. The latter method also shows the existence of P4S7 and P4S10 molecules in the glasses segregated from the backbone. These aspects of structure contribute to an intermediate phase that is significantly narrower in width than in the corresponding selenide glasses.

Flue gas adsorption by single-wall carbon nanotubes: A Monte Carlo study.

PubMed

Romero-Hermida, M I; Romero-Enrique, J M; Morales-Flórez, V; Esquivias, L

2016-08-21

Adsorption of flue gases by single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) has been studied by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The flue gas is modeled as a ternary mixture of N2, CO2, and O2, emulating realistic compositions of the emissions from power plants. The adsorbed flue gas is in equilibrium with a bulk gas characterized by temperature T, pressure p, and mixture composition. We have considered different SWCNTs with different chiralities and diameters in a range between 7 and 20 Å. Our results show that the CO2 adsorption properties depend mainly on the bulk flue gas thermodynamic conditions and the SWCNT diameter. Narrow SWCNTs with diameter around 7 Å show high CO2 adsorption capacity and selectivity, but they decrease abruptly as the SWCNT diameter is increased. For wide SWCNT, CO2 adsorption capacity and selectivity, much smaller in value than for the narrow case, decrease mildly with the SWCNT diameter. In the intermediate range of SWCNT diameters, the CO2 adsorption properties may show a peculiar behavior, which depend strongly on the bulk flue gas conditions. Thus, for high bulk CO2 concentrations and low temperatures, the CO2 adsorption capacity remains high in a wide range of SWCNT diameters, although the corresponding selectivity is moderate. We correlate these findings with the microscopic structure of the adsorbed gas inside the SWCNTs.

The system Na2CO3-CaCO3 at 3 GPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podborodnikov, Ivan V.; Shatskiy, Anton; Arefiev, Anton V.; Rashchenko, Sergey V.; Chanyshev, Artem D.; Litasov, Konstantin D.

2018-04-01

It was suggested that alkali-alkaline earth carbonates may have a substantial role in petrological processes relevant to metasomatism and melting of the Earth's mantle. Because natrite, Na2CO3, Na-Ca carbonate (shortite and/or nyerereite), and calcite, CaCO3, have been recently reported from xenoliths of shallow mantle (110-115 km) origin, we performed experiments on phase relations in the system Na2CO3-CaCO3 at 3 GPa and 800-1300 °C. We found that the system has one intermediate compound, Na2Ca3(CO3)4, at 800 °C, and two intermediate compounds, Na2Ca(CO3)2 and Na2Ca3(CO3)4, at 850 °C. CaCO3 crystals recovered from experiments at 950 and 1000 °C are aragonite and calcite, respectively. Maximum solid solution of CaCO3 in Na2CO3 is 20 mol% at 850 °C. The Na-carbonate-Na2Ca(CO3)2 eutectic locates near 860 °C and 56 mol% Na2CO3. Na2Ca(CO3)2 melts incongruently near 880 °C to produce Na2Ca3(CO3)4 and a liquid containing about 51 mol% Na2CO3. Na2Ca3(CO3)4 disappears above 1000 °C via incongruent melting to calcite and a liquid containing about 43 mol% Na2CO3. At 1050 °C, the liquid, coexisting with Na-carbonate, contains 87 mol% Na2CO3. Na-carbonate remains solid up to 1150 °C and melts at 1200 °C. The Na2CO3 content in the liquid coexisting with calcite decreases to 15 mol% as temperature increases to 1300 °C. Considering the present and previous data, a range of the intermediate compounds on the liquidus of the Na2CO3-CaCO3 join changes as pressure increases in the following sequence: Na2Ca(CO3)2 (0.1 GPa) → Na2Ca(CO3)2, Na2Ca3(CO3)4 (3 GPa) → Na4Ca(CO3)3, Na2Ca3(CO3)4 (6 GPa). Thus, the Na2Ca(CO3)2 nyerereite stability field extends to the shallow mantle pressures. Consequently, findings of nyerereite among daughter phases in the melt inclusions in olivine from the sheared garnet peridotites are consistent with their mantle origin.

Behaviour of niobium during early Earth’s differentiation: insights from its local structure and oxidation state in silicate melts at high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanloup, C.; Cochain, B.; de Grouchy, C.; Glazyrin, K.; Konôpkova, Z.; Liermann, H.-P.; Kantor, I.; Torchio, R.; Mathon, O.; Irifune, T.

2018-02-01

Niobium (Nb) is one of the key trace elements used to understand Earth’s formation and differentiation, and is remarkable for its deficiency relative to tantalum in terrestrial rocks compared to the building chondritic blocks. In this context, the local environment of Nb in silica-rich melts and glasses is studied by in situ x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at high pressure (P) up to 9.3 GPa and 1350 K using resistive-heating diamond-anvil cells. Nb is slightly less oxidized in the melt (intermediate valence between  +4 and  +5) than in the glass (+5), an effect evidenced from the shift of the Nb-edge towards lower energies. Changes in the pre-edge features are also observed between melt and glass states, consistently with the observed changes in oxidation state although likely enhanced by temperature (T) effects. The oxidation state of Nb is not affected by pressure neither in the molten nor glassy states, and remains constant in the investigated P-range. The Nb-O coordination number is constant and equal to 6.3+/-0.4 below 5 GPa, and only progressively increases up to 7.1+/-0.4 at 9.3 GPa, the maximum P investigated. If these findings were to similarly apply to basaltic melts, that would rule out the hypothesis of Nb/Ta fractionation during early silicate Earth’s differentiation, thus reinforcing the alternative hypothesis of fractionation during core formation on reduced pre-planetary bodies.

Evaporation and combustion of LOX under supercritical and subcritical conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, A. S.; Hsieh, W. H.; Kuo, K. K.

1993-01-01

The objective is to study the evaporation and combustion of LOX under supercritical and subcritical conditions both experimentally and theoretically. In the evaporation studies, evaporation rate and surface temperature were measured when LOX vaporizing in helium environments at pressures ranging from 5 to 68 atm. A Varian 3700 gas chromatograph was employed to measure the oxygen concentration above the LOX surface. For the combustion tests, high-magnification video photography was used to record direct images of the flame shape of a LOX/H2/He laminar diffusion flame. The gas composition in the post-flame region is also being measured with the gas sampling and chromatography analysis. These data are being used to validate the theoretical model. A comprehensive theoretical model with the consideration of the solubility of ambient gases as well as variable thermophysical properties was formulated and solved numerically to study the gasification and burning of LOX at elevated pressures. The calculated flame shape agreed reasonably well with the edge of the observed luminous flame surface. The effect of gravity on the flame structure of laminar diffusion flames was found to be significant. In addition, the predicted results using the flame-sheet model were compared with those based upon full equilibrium calculations (which considered the formation of intermediate species) at supercritical pressures. Except at the flame front where temperature exceeded 2,800 K, the flame-sheet and equilibrium solutions in terms of temperature distributions were in very close agreement. The temperature deviation in the neighborhood of the flame front is caused by the effect of high-temperature dissociation.

Longitudinal and Integrative Tests of Family Stress Model Effects on Mexican-Origin Adolescents

PubMed Central

White, Rebecca M. B.; Liu, Yu; Nair, Rajni L.; Tein, Jenn-Yun

2015-01-01

The family stress model represents a common framework through which to examine the effects of environmental stressors on adolescent adjustment. The model suggests that economic and neighborhood stressors influence youth adjustment via disruptions to parenting. Incorporating integrative developmental theory, we examined the degree to which parents’ cultural value orientations mitigated the effects of stressors on parenting disruptions and the degree to which environmental adversity qualified the effect of parenting on adolescent adjustment. We tested the hypothesized Integrative Family Stress Model longitudinally in a sample of mother-youth dyads (N = 749) and father-youth dyads (N = 467) from Mexican origin families, across three times points spanning early to middle adolescence. Providing the first longitudinal evidence of family stress mediated effects, mothers’ perceptions of economic pressure were associated with increases in adolescent externalizing symptoms five years later via intermediate increases in harsh parenting. The remaining findings supported the notion that integrative developmental theory can inform family stress model hypothesis testing that is culturally and contextually relevant for wide range of diverse families and youth. For example, fathers’ perceptions of economic pressure and neighborhood danger had important implications for adolescent internalizing, via reductions in paternal warmth, but only at certain levels of neighborhood adversity. Mothers’ familism value orientations mitigated the effects of economic pressure on maternal warmth, protecting their adolescents from experiencing developmental costs associated with environmental stressors. Results are discussed in terms of identifying how integrative developmental theory intersects with the family stress model to set diverse youth on different developmental pathways. PMID:25751100

Longitudinal and integrative tests of family stress model effects on Mexican origin adolescents.

PubMed

White, Rebecca M B; Liu, Yu; Nair, Rajni L; Tein, Jenn-Yun

2015-05-01

The family stress model represents a common framework through which to examine the effects of environmental stressors on adolescent adjustment. The model suggests that economic and neighborhood stressors influence youth adjustment via disruptions to parenting. Incorporating integrative developmental theory, we examined the degree to which parents' cultural value orientations mitigated the effects of stressors on parenting disruptions and the degree to which environmental adversity qualified the effect of parenting on adolescent adjustment. We tested the hypothesized integrative family stress model longitudinally in a sample of mother-youth dyads (N = 749) and father-youth dyads (N = 467) from Mexican origin families, across 3 times points spanning early to middle adolescence. Providing the first longitudinal evidence of family stress mediated effects, mothers' perceptions of economic pressure were associated with increases in adolescent externalizing symptoms 5 years later via intermediate increases in harsh parenting. The remaining findings supported the notion that integrative developmental theory can inform family stress model hypothesis testing that is culturally and contextually relevant for a wide range of diverse families and youth. For example, fathers' perceptions of economic pressure and neighborhood danger had important implications for adolescent internalizing, via reductions in paternal warmth, but only at certain levels of neighborhood adversity. Mothers' familism value orientations mitigated the effects of economic pressure on maternal warmth, protecting their adolescents from experiencing developmental costs associated with environmental stressors. Results are discussed in terms of identifying how integrative developmental theory intersects with the family stress model to set diverse youth on different developmental pathways. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Elucidating the breathing of the metal-organic framework MIL-53(Sc) with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and in situ X-ray powder diffraction experiments.

PubMed

Chen, Linjiang; Mowat, John P S; Fairen-Jimenez, David; Morrison, Carole A; Thompson, Stephen P; Wright, Paul A; Düren, Tina

2013-10-23

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations have been used to predict structural transitions of the breathing metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-53(Sc) in response to changes in temperature over the range 100-623 K and adsorption of CO2 at 0-0.9 bar at 196 K. The method has for the first time been shown to predict successfully both temperature-dependent structural changes and the structural response to variable sorbate uptake of a flexible MOF. AIMD employing dispersion-corrected density functional theory accurately simulated the experimentally observed closure of MIL-53(Sc) upon solvent removal and the transition of the empty MOF from the closed-pore phase to the very-narrow-pore phase (symmetry change from P2(1)/c to C2/c) with increasing temperature, indicating that it can directly take into account entropic as well as enthalpic effects. We also used AIMD simulations to mimic the CO2 adsorption of MIL-53(Sc) in silico by allowing the MIL-53(Sc) framework to evolve freely in response to CO2 loadings corresponding to the two steps in the experimental adsorption isotherm. The resulting structures enabled the structure determination of the two CO2-containing intermediate and large-pore phases observed by experimental synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies with increasing CO2 pressure; this would not have been possible for the intermediate structure via conventional methods because of diffraction peak broadening. Furthermore, the strong and anisotropic peak broadening observed for the intermediate structure could be explained in terms of fluctuations of the framework predicted by the AIMD simulations. Fundamental insights from the molecular-level interactions further revealed the origin of the breathing of MIL-53(Sc) upon temperature variation and CO2 adsorption. These simulations illustrate the power of the AIMD method for the prediction and understanding of the behavior of flexible microporous solids.

Micropatterned Pyramidal Ionic Gels for Sensing Broad-Range Pressures with High Sensitivity.

PubMed

Cho, Sung Hwan; Lee, Seung Won; Yu, Seunggun; Kim, Hyeohn; Chang, Sooho; Kang, Donyoung; Hwang, Ihn; Kang, Han Sol; Jeong, Beomjin; Kim, Eui Hyuk; Cho, Suk Man; Kim, Kang Lib; Lee, Hyungsuk; Shim, Wooyoung; Park, Cheolmin

2017-03-22

The development of pressure sensors that are effective over a broad range of pressures is crucial for the future development of electronic skin applicable to the detection of a wide pressure range from acoustic wave to dynamic human motion. Here, we present flexible capacitive pressure sensors that incorporate micropatterned pyramidal ionic gels to enable ultrasensitive pressure detection. Our devices show superior pressure-sensing performance, with a broad sensing range from a few pascals up to 50 kPa, with fast response times of <20 ms and a low operating voltage of 0.25 V. Since high-dielectric-constant ionic gels were employed as constituent sensing materials, an unprecedented sensitivity of 41 kPa -1 in the low-pressure regime of <400 Pa could be realized in the context of a metal-insulator-metal platform. This broad-range capacitive pressure sensor allows for the efficient detection of pressure from a variety of sources, including sound waves, a lightweight object, jugular venous pulses, radial artery pulses, and human finger touch. This platform offers a simple, robust approach to low-cost, scalable device design, enabling practical applications of electronic skin.

A Multi-spectroscopic Investigation of Sulphur Speciation in Silicate Glasses and Slags

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

Bingham, P.; Connelly, A; Hand, R

2010-01-01

Sulphur K-edge x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), sulphur K{sub {alpha}} and K{sub {beta}} high resolution x-ray emission spectroscopies (XES), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption spectroscopies have been used to study the speciation of sulphur in a range of soda-lime-silica glasses and silicate slags. Several inorganic standards with known sulphur oxidation states and structural environments have also been analysed. Results confirm that the average oxidation state of sulphur in glasses decreases, as expected, in the order (colourless>light olive>dark olive>light amber>dark amber). This behaviour is consistent with decreasing S{sup 6+}/{Sigma}S ratio, which has been quantified by linear combination fitting ofmore » XES S K{alpha} spectra, and with analysed sulphur contents which exhibit a characteristic relationship with oxygen partial pressure, pO{sub 2}. A combination of S{sup 6+}, S{sup 5+}, S{sup 4+} and more reduced sulphur species has been detected in olive and amber glasses. The S{sup 4+} and S{sup 5+} species are most evident in olive-coloured glasses produced under moderately reducing conditions that coincide with minimum sulphur solubilities. The reduced form of sulphur, present in all reduced glasses, is interpreted as being present as S{sup 2-} on the basis of XANES, XES, EPR and optical measurements. An alternative interpretation of the data is that there is a continuum of less strongly reduced species, primarily S{sup +} and S{sup 2+}; this interpretation has less merit. In this paper we show that the established relationship that describes sulphur redox only in terms of S{sup 6+} and S{sup 2-}, and which states that only these two species co-exist over a narrow, moderately reducing range of pO{sub 2}, does not fully describe the behaviour of S in the industrial, non-equilibrated glasses studied. Hence this relationship requires slight modification for non-equilibrated systems to explain the existence of intermediate sulphur oxidation states such as S{sup 4+} and S{sup 5+}, particularly within the intermediate pO{sub 2} range that corresponds with sulphur solubility minima.« less

Effect of gold nanoparticles on structure and dynamics of binary Lennard-Jones liquid: direct space analysis.

PubMed

Separdar, L; Davatolhagh, S

2013-02-01

We investigate the static structure and diffusive dynamics of binary Lennard-Jones mixture upon supercooling in the presence of gold nanoparticle within the framework of the mode-coupling theory of the dynamic glass transition in the direct space by means of constant-NVT molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the presence of gold nanoparticle causes the energy per particle and the pressure of this system to decrease with respect to the bulk binary Lennard-Jones mixture. Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticle has a direct effect on the liquid structure and causes the peaks of the radial distribution functions to become shorter with respect to the bulk binary Lennard-Jones liquid. The dynamics of the liquid at a given density is found to be consistent with the mode-coupling theory (MCT) predictions in a certain range at low temperatures. In accordance with the idealized MCT, the diffusion constants D(T) show a power-law behavior at low temperatures for both types of binary Lennard-Jones (BLJ) particles as well as the gold atoms comprising the nanoparticle. The mode-coupling crossover temperature T(c) is the same for all particle types; however, T(c)=0.4 is reduced with respect to that of the bulk BLJ liquid, and the γ exponent is found to depend on the particle type. The existence of the nanoparticle causes the short-time β-relaxation regime to shorten and the range of validity of the MCT shrinks with respect to the bulk BLJ. It is also found that at intermediate and low temperatures the curves of the mean-squared displacements (MSDs) versus tD(T) fall onto a master curve. The MSDs follow the master curve in an identical time range with the long-time α-relaxation regime of the mode-coupling theory. By obtaining the viscosity, it is observed that the Stokes-Einstein relation remains valid at high and intermediate temperatures but breaks down as the temperatures approach T(c) as a result of the cooperative motion or activated processes.

Structure of Oxide Glass and Melts at High-Pressure: A View from Inelastic X-ray Scattering and 2D Solid-State NMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, S.; Mysen, B. O.; Fei, Y.; Cody, G. D.; Mao, H.; Eng, P.

2006-12-01

Full understanding of the atomic arrangement of oxides glasses and melts both at ambient and high-pressure has long been one of the fundamental and yet difficult problems in earth sciences, condensed matter physics as well as glass sciences. The structures of archetypal oxide glasses (e.g. SiO2 and B2O3) as well as complex silicate glasses (ternary and quaternary aluminosilicate glasses) at high pressure are essential to elucidate origins of anomalous macroscopic properties of melts and global geophysical processes in the Earth's interior. Recent progress in inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) with high brilliance 3rd generation synchrotron x-rays combined with DAC techniques allows us to explore pressure-induced changes in the bonding nature of archetypal amorphous oxide, illustrating a new opportunity to study amorphous oxides with IXS (Lee SK et al. Nature Materials 2005, 4, p851). 2 dimensional solid-state NMR have offered much improved resolution over conventional 1D NMR, unveiling previously unknown structural details of amorphous silicates at high pressure (Lee SK. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 2005, 69, p3695; J. Phys. Chem. B. 2006, 110, p16408) Here, we report the synchrotron inelastic x-ray scattering results (oxygen and boron K-edge) for divers oxide glasses at pressure up to 40 GPa, revealing the nature of pressure-induced bonding changes and the structure. Direct in-situ measurements provide evidence for a continuous transformation with multiple densification mechanisms. 2D solid-state NMR spectra for silicate and germinate glasses shows detailed information about extent of disorder among framework units at high pressure. The chemical ordering among framework units leads to the formation of ^{[5,6]}Si-O-^{[4]}Si in silicates and ^{[5,6]}Al-O-^{[4]}Si in aluminosilicates. Whereas the densification mechanism can be dependent on the chemical composition and the fraction of non-bridging oxygen, the pressure dependence of both simple and complex multi-component silicate glasses showed similar characteristics: low pressure regime was marked with topological variation without coordination transformation and inter-mediate pressure region (about 5-10 GPa) was characterized by the largest (d(^{[4]}B or ^{[5,6]}Si)/dP) value. Finally high-pressure regime (above 10 GPa) was characterized by a larger energy penalty for coordination transformation than in intermediate pressure regime. These results provide improved prospect for the bonding nature of amorphous materials at high pressure using synchrotron inelastic x-ray scattering and 2D NMR and aid in understanding the microscopic origins of the properties of melts and geological processes in the Earth's interior.

Dehydration-driven stress transfer triggers intermediate-depth earthquakes

PubMed Central

Ferrand, Thomas P.; Hilairet, Nadège; Incel, Sarah; Deldicque, Damien; Labrousse, Loïc; Gasc, Julien; Renner, Joerg; Wang, Yanbin; Green II, Harry W.; Schubnel, Alexandre

2017-01-01

Intermediate-depth earthquakes (30–300 km) have been extensively documented within subducting oceanic slabs, but their mechanics remains enigmatic. Here we decipher the mechanism of these earthquakes by performing deformation experiments on dehydrating serpentinized peridotites (synthetic antigorite-olivine aggregates, minerals representative of subduction zones lithologies) at upper mantle conditions. At a pressure of 1.1 gigapascals, dehydration of deforming samples containing only 5 vol% of antigorite suffices to trigger acoustic emissions, a laboratory-scale analogue of earthquakes. At 3.5 gigapascals, acoustic emissions are recorded from samples with up to 50 vol% of antigorite. Experimentally produced faults, observed post-mortem, are sealed by fluid-bearing micro-pseudotachylytes. Microstructural observations demonstrate that antigorite dehydration triggered dynamic shear failure of the olivine load-bearing network. These laboratory analogues of intermediate-depth earthquakes demonstrate that little dehydration is required to trigger embrittlement. We propose an alternative model to dehydration-embrittlement in which dehydration-driven stress transfer, rather than fluid overpressure, causes embrittlement. PMID:28504263

Design and Performance Analysis of an Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor

PubMed Central

Zhang, Hongjuan; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Xu; Wang, Dong; Jin, Baoquan

2016-01-01

In flammable or explosive environments, an ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement poses an important engineering safety challenge, because the driving circuit uses an intermediate frequency transformer as an impedance transformation element, in which the produced heat or spark is available for ignition. In this paper, an intrinsically safe ultrasonic ranging sensor is designed and implemented. The waterproof piezoelectric transducer with integrated transceiver is chosen as an energy transducing element. Then a novel transducer driving circuit is designed based on an impedance matching method considering safety spark parameters to replace an intermediate frequency transformer. Then, an energy limiting circuit is developed to achieve dual levels of over-voltage and over-current protection. The detail calculation and evaluation are executed and the electrical characteristics are analyzed to verify the intrinsic safety of the driving circuit. Finally, an experimental platform of the ultrasonic ranging sensor system is constructed, which involves short-circuit protection. Experimental results show that the proposed ultrasonic ranging sensor is excellent in both ranging performance and intrinsic safety. PMID:27304958

Design and Performance Analysis of an Intrinsically Safe Ultrasonic Ranging Sensor.

PubMed

Zhang, Hongjuan; Wang, Yu; Zhang, Xu; Wang, Dong; Jin, Baoquan

2016-06-13

In flammable or explosive environments, an ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement poses an important engineering safety challenge, because the driving circuit uses an intermediate frequency transformer as an impedance transformation element, in which the produced heat or spark is available for ignition. In this paper, an intrinsically safe ultrasonic ranging sensor is designed and implemented. The waterproof piezoelectric transducer with integrated transceiver is chosen as an energy transducing element. Then a novel transducer driving circuit is designed based on an impedance matching method considering safety spark parameters to replace an intermediate frequency transformer. Then, an energy limiting circuit is developed to achieve dual levels of over-voltage and over-current protection. The detail calculation and evaluation are executed and the electrical characteristics are analyzed to verify the intrinsic safety of the driving circuit. Finally, an experimental platform of the ultrasonic ranging sensor system is constructed, which involves short-circuit protection. Experimental results show that the proposed ultrasonic ranging sensor is excellent in both ranging performance and intrinsic safety.

Integrated arrays of air-dielectric graphene transistors as transparent active-matrix pressure sensors for wide pressure ranges.

PubMed

Shin, Sung-Ho; Ji, Sangyoon; Choi, Seiho; Pyo, Kyoung-Hee; Wan An, Byeong; Park, Jihun; Kim, Joohee; Kim, Ju-Young; Lee, Ki-Suk; Kwon, Soon-Yong; Heo, Jaeyeong; Park, Byong-Guk; Park, Jang-Ung

2017-03-31

Integrated electronic circuitries with pressure sensors have been extensively researched as a key component for emerging electronics applications such as electronic skins and health-monitoring devices. Although existing pressure sensors display high sensitivities, they can only be used for specific purposes due to the narrow range of detectable pressure (under tens of kPa) and the difficulty of forming highly integrated arrays. However, it is essential to develop tactile pressure sensors with a wide pressure range in order to use them for diverse application areas including medical diagnosis, robotics or automotive electronics. Here we report an unconventional approach for fabricating fully integrated active-matrix arrays of pressure-sensitive graphene transistors with air-dielectric layers simply formed by folding two opposing panels. Furthermore, this realizes a wide tactile pressure sensing range from 250 Pa to ∼3 MPa. Additionally, fabrication of pressure sensor arrays and transparent pressure sensors are demonstrated, suggesting their substantial promise as next-generation electronics.

Integrated arrays of air-dielectric graphene transistors as transparent active-matrix pressure sensors for wide pressure ranges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Sung-Ho; Ji, Sangyoon; Choi, Seiho; Pyo, Kyoung-Hee; Wan An, Byeong; Park, Jihun; Kim, Joohee; Kim, Ju-Young; Lee, Ki-Suk; Kwon, Soon-Yong; Heo, Jaeyeong; Park, Byong-Guk; Park, Jang-Ung

2017-03-01

Integrated electronic circuitries with pressure sensors have been extensively researched as a key component for emerging electronics applications such as electronic skins and health-monitoring devices. Although existing pressure sensors display high sensitivities, they can only be used for specific purposes due to the narrow range of detectable pressure (under tens of kPa) and the difficulty of forming highly integrated arrays. However, it is essential to develop tactile pressure sensors with a wide pressure range in order to use them for diverse application areas including medical diagnosis, robotics or automotive electronics. Here we report an unconventional approach for fabricating fully integrated active-matrix arrays of pressure-sensitive graphene transistors with air-dielectric layers simply formed by folding two opposing panels. Furthermore, this realizes a wide tactile pressure sensing range from 250 Pa to ~3 MPa. Additionally, fabrication of pressure sensor arrays and transparent pressure sensors are demonstrated, suggesting their substantial promise as next-generation electronics.

Integrated arrays of air-dielectric graphene transistors as transparent active-matrix pressure sensors for wide pressure ranges

PubMed Central

Shin, Sung-Ho; Ji, Sangyoon; Choi, Seiho; Pyo, Kyoung-Hee; Wan An, Byeong; Park, Jihun; Kim, Joohee; Kim, Ju-Young; Lee, Ki-Suk; Kwon, Soon-Yong; Heo, Jaeyeong; Park, Byong-Guk; Park, Jang-Ung

2017-01-01

Integrated electronic circuitries with pressure sensors have been extensively researched as a key component for emerging electronics applications such as electronic skins and health-monitoring devices. Although existing pressure sensors display high sensitivities, they can only be used for specific purposes due to the narrow range of detectable pressure (under tens of kPa) and the difficulty of forming highly integrated arrays. However, it is essential to develop tactile pressure sensors with a wide pressure range in order to use them for diverse application areas including medical diagnosis, robotics or automotive electronics. Here we report an unconventional approach for fabricating fully integrated active-matrix arrays of pressure-sensitive graphene transistors with air-dielectric layers simply formed by folding two opposing panels. Furthermore, this realizes a wide tactile pressure sensing range from 250 Pa to ∼3 MPa. Additionally, fabrication of pressure sensor arrays and transparent pressure sensors are demonstrated, suggesting their substantial promise as next-generation electronics. PMID:28361867

Flexible Ferroelectric Sensors with Ultrahigh Pressure Sensitivity and Linear Response over Exceptionally Broad Pressure Range.

PubMed

Lee, Youngoh; Park, Jonghwa; Cho, Soowon; Shin, Young-Eun; Lee, Hochan; Kim, Jinyoung; Myoung, Jinyoung; Cho, Seungse; Kang, Saewon; Baig, Chunggi; Ko, Hyunhyub

2018-04-24

Flexible pressure sensors with a high sensitivity over a broad linear range can simplify wearable sensing systems without additional signal processing for the linear output, enabling device miniaturization and low power consumption. Here, we demonstrate a flexible ferroelectric sensor with ultrahigh pressure sensitivity and linear response over an exceptionally broad pressure range based on the material and structural design of ferroelectric composites with a multilayer interlocked microdome geometry. Due to the stress concentration between interlocked microdome arrays and increased contact area in the multilayer design, the flexible ferroelectric sensors could perceive static/dynamic pressure with high sensitivity (47.7 kPa -1 , 1.3 Pa minimum detection). In addition, efficient stress distribution between stacked multilayers enables linear sensing over exceptionally broad pressure range (0.0013-353 kPa) with fast response time (20 ms) and high reliability over 5000 repetitive cycles even at an extremely high pressure of 272 kPa. Our sensor can be used to monitor diverse stimuli from a low to a high pressure range including weak gas flow, acoustic sound, wrist pulse pressure, respiration, and foot pressure with a single device.

Foraminiferal assemblages from a transitional tropical upwelling zone in the Golfe d'Arguin, Mauritania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reymond, Claire E.; Mateu-Vicens, Guillem; Westphal, Hildegard

2014-07-01

With the growing pressure of eutrophication in tropical regions, the Mauritian shelf provides a natural situation to understand the variability in mesotrophic assemblages. Site-specific dynamics occur throughout the 1200 m depth gradient. The shallow assemblages divide into three types of warm-water mesotrophic foraminiferal assemblages, which is not only a consequence of high primary productivity restricting light to the benthos but due to low pore water oxygenation, shelf geomorphology, and sediment partitioning. In the intermediate depth (approx. 500 m), the increase in foraminiferal diversity is due to the cold-water coral habitat providing a greater range of micro niches. Planktonic species characterise the lower bathyal zone, which emphasizes the reduced benthic carbonate production at depth. Although, due to the strong hydrodynamics within the Golf, planktonic species occur in notable abundances through out the whole depth gradient. Overall, this study can easily be compared to other tropical marine settings investigating the long-term effects of tropical eutrophication and the biogeographic distribution of carbonate producing organisms.

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

Kumar, Kamal; Zhang, Yu; Sung, Chi -Jen

We study the influence of blending n-butanol on the ignition delay times of n-heptane and iso-octane, the primary reference fuels for gasoline. The ignition delay times are measured using a rapid compression machine, with an emphasis on the low-to-intermediate temperature conditions. The experiments are conducted at equivalence ratios of 0.4 and 1.0, for a compressed pressure of 20 bar, with the temperatures at the end of compression ranging from 613 K to 979 K. The effect of n-butanol addition on the development of the two-stage ignition characteristics for the two primary reference fuels is also examined. The experimental results aremore » compared to predictions obtained using a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism, which has been obtained by a systematic merger of previously reported base models for the combustion of the individual fuel constituents. In conclusion, a sensitivity analysis on the base, and the merged models, is also performed to understand the dependence of autoignition delay times on the model parameters.« less

Graphite to ultrafine nanocrystalline diamond phase transition model and growth restriction mechanism induced by nanosecond laser processing

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

Ren, X. D., E-mail: renxd@mail.ujs.edu.cn; Liu, R.; Zheng, L. M.

2015-10-05

To have a clear insight into nanocrystal growth from graphite to diamond upon high energy pulsed laser irradiation of graphite suspension, synthesis of ultrafine nanocrystalline diamonds with laser energy set up from 0.3 J to 12 J, repetition rate of 10 Hz has been studied. The method allows synthesizing ultrafine nanocrystalline particles continuously at the ambient temperature and normal pressure. The particle size is shown independent of laser energy, which is ultrafine and ranges in 2–6 nm. The theoretical grown size of nano-diamonds is found in well agreement with the experiment results. Four kinds of production were found: nano-diamond, spherical carbon nano-particles, flocculent amorphousmore » carbon, and graphene nano-ribbon rolls. A solid-vapor-plasma-liquid coexistence model describing phase transition from graphite to diamond induced by nanosecond laser processing was proposed. Graphene nano-ribbon rolls might be the intermediate phase in the conversion from graphite to diamond.« less

Buckling Instability Causes Inertial Thrust for Spherical Swimmers at All Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djellouli, Adel; Marmottant, Philippe; Djeridi, Henda; Quilliet, Catherine; Coupier, Gwennou

2017-12-01

Microswimmers, and among them aspirant microrobots, generally have to cope with flows where viscous forces are dominant, characterized by a low Reynolds number (Re). This implies constraints on the possible sequences of body motion, which have to be nonreciprocal. Furthermore, the presence of a strong drag limits the range of resulting velocities. Here, we propose a swimming mechanism which uses the buckling instability triggered by pressure waves to propel a spherical, hollow shell. With a macroscopic experimental model, we show that a net displacement is produced at all Re regimes. An optimal displacement caused by nontrivial history effects is reached at intermediate Re. We show that, due to the fast activation induced by the instability, this regime is reachable by microscopic shells. The rapid dynamics would also allow high-frequency excitation with standard traveling ultrasonic waves. Scale considerations predict a swimming velocity of order 1 cm /s for a remote-controlled microrobot, a suitable value for biological applications such as drug delivery.

Strain-induced intervortex interaction and vortex lattices in tetragonal superconductors

DOE PAGES

Lin, Shi -Zeng; Kogan, Vladimir G.

2017-02-22

In superconductors with strong coupling between superconductivity and elasticity manifested in a strong dependence of transition temperature on pressure, there is an additional contribution to intervortex interactions due to the strain field generated by vortices. When vortex lines are along the c axis of a tetragonal crystal, a square vortex lattice (VL) is favored at low vortex densities, because the vortex-induced strains contribution to the intervortex interactions is long range. At intermediate magnetic fields, the triangular lattice is stabilized. Furthermore, the triangular lattice evolves to the square lattice upon increasing magnetic field, and eventually the system locks to the squaremore » structure. We argue, however, that as magnetic field approaches the upper critical field H c2 the elastic intervortex interactions disappear faster than the standard London interactions, so that VL should return to the triangular structure. Our results are compared to VLs observed in the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn 5.« less

Correlation and nuclear distortion effects of Cr-substituted ZnSe.

PubMed

Tablero, C

2007-04-28

There is a great deal of interest in the effect of the correlation and effect of the atomic distortion in materials with a metallic intermediate band. This band, situated within the semiconductor band gaps, would be split, thus creating two bands, a full one below the Fermi energy and an empty one above it, i.e., a metal-insulator transition. This basic electronic band structure corresponds to intermediate band materials and is characteristic of transparent-conducting oxides, up and down converters, and intermediate band solar cells. A sufficiently high density of Cr in ZnSe substituting the Zn atoms leads to a microscopic intermediate band, in which these effects will be analyzed. A Hubbard term has been included to improve the description of the many-body effect. This term modifies the bandwidth of the intermediate band, the Fermi energy, and breaks the orbital-occupation degeneracy. From the results, the intermediate band is not split within the range of Hubbard term values analyzed and for Cr substituting Zn from 0.463% to 3.125% of Cr atomic concentration.

Improving interMediAte Risk management. MARK study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Cardiovascular risk functions fail to identify more than 50% of patients who develop cardiovascular disease. This is especially evident in the intermediate-risk patients in which clinical management becomes difficult. Our purpose is to analyze if ankle-brachial index (ABI), measures of arterial stiffness, postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, self-measured blood pressure and presence of comorbidity are independently associated to incidence of vascular events and whether they can improve the predictive capacity of current risk equations in the intermediate-risk population. Methods/Design This project involves 3 groups belonging to REDIAPP (RETICS RD06/0018) from 3 Spanish regions. We will recruit a multicenter cohort of 2688 patients at intermediate risk (coronary risk between 5 and 15% or vascular death risk between 3-5% over 10 years) and no history of atherosclerotic disease, selected at random. We will record socio-demographic data, information on diet, physical activity, comorbidity and intermittent claudication. We will measure ABI, pulse wave velocity and cardio ankle vascular index at rest and after a light intensity exercise. Blood pressure and anthropometric data will be also recorded. We will also quantify lipids, glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin in a fasting blood sample and postprandial capillary glucose. Eighteen months after the recruitment, patients will be followed up to determine the incidence of vascular events (later follow-ups are planned at 5 and 10 years). We will analyze whether the new proposed risk factors contribute to improve the risk functions based on classic risk factors. Discussion Primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases is a priority in public health policy of developed and developing countries. The fundamental strategy consists in identifying people in a high risk situation in which preventive measures are effective and efficient. Improvement of these predictions in our country will have an immediate, clinical and welfare impact and a short term public health effect. Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01428934 PMID:21992621

Positive Behavior Supports: A Study of Implementation at the Intermediate School Level

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hasson, Robert C., Jr.

2011-01-01

Public schools are faced with the ever-increasing pressure of maintaining a safe learning environment while continuously improving student performance. Also, there has been a growing concern among administrators and teachers for implementing an effective discipline plan that will keep students in class and engaged in learning as much as possible.…

49 CFR 178.702 - IBC codes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... solids, discharged by gravity Under pressure of more than 10 kPa (1.45 psig) For liquids Rigid 11 21 31 Flexible 13 (2) Intermediate bulk container code letter designations are as follows: “A” means steel (all types and surface treatments). “B” means aluminum. “C” means natural wood. “D” means plywood. “F” means...

Living in interesting times: applying creative strategic planning.

PubMed

Jessome, P

1995-01-01

Rapidly changing expectations and environments have put health care facilities under increasing pressure. Using traditional strategic planning to deal with these challenges has often produced disappointing results. This article outlines a different approach, based on Robert Fritz's model of the creative process, and discusses its application in Kiwanis Lodge in West Vancouver, an intermediate care facility.

Highly sensitive silicon microreactor for catalyst testing

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

Henriksen, Toke R.; Hansen, Ole; Department of Physics, Danish National Research Foundation's Center for Individual Nanoparticle Functionality

2009-12-15

A novel microfabricated chemical reactor for highly sensitive measurements of catalytic activity and surface kinetics is presented. The reactor is fabricated in a silicon chip and is intended for gas-phase reactions at pressures ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 bar. A high sensitivity is obtained by directing the entire gas flow through the catalyst bed to a mass spectrometer, thus ensuring that nearly all reaction products are present in the analyzed gas flow. Although the device can be employed for testing a wide range of catalysts, the primary aim of the design is to allow characterization of model catalysts which canmore » only be obtained in small quantities. Such measurements are of significant fundamental interest but are challenging because of the low surface areas involved. The relationship between the reaction zone gas flow and the pressure in the reaction zone is investigated experimentally. A corresponding theoretical model is presented, and the gas flow through an on-chip flow-limiting capillary is predicted to be in the intermediate regime. The experimental data for the gas flow are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical model. At typical experimental conditions, the total gas flow through the reaction zone is around 3x10{sup 14} molecules s{sup -1}, corresponding to a gas residence time in the reaction zone of about 11 s. To demonstrate the operation of the microreactor, CO oxidation on low-area platinum thin film circles is employed as a test reaction. Using temperature ramping, it is found that platinum catalysts with areas as small as 15 {mu}m{sup 2} are conveniently characterized with the device.« less

Catabolism of Tritiated Thymidine by Aquatic Microbial Communities and Incorporation of Tritium into RNA and Protein †

PubMed Central

Brittain, Andrew M.; Karl, David M.

1990-01-01

The incorporation of tritiated thymidine by five microbial ecosystems and the distribution of tritium into DNA, RNA, and protein were determined. All microbial assemblages tested exhibited significant labeling of RNA and protein (i.e., nonspecific labeling), as determined by differential acid-base hydrolysis. Nonspecific labeling was greatest in sediment samples, for which ≥95% of the tritium was recovered with the RNA and protein fractions. The percentage of tritium recovered in the DNA fraction ranged from 15 to 38% of the total labeled macromolecules recovered. Nonspecific labeling was independent of both incubation time and thymidine concentration over very wide ranges. Four different RNA hydrolysis reagents (KOH, NaOH, piperidine, and enzymes) solubilized tritium from cold trichloroacetic acid precipitates. High-pressure liquid chromatography separation of piperidine hydrolysates followed by measurement of isolated monophosphates confirmed the labeling of RNA and indicated that tritium was recovered primarily in CMP and AMP residues. We also evaluated the specificity of [2-3H]adenine incorporation into adenylate residues in both RNA and DNA in parallel with the [3H]thymidine experiments and compared the degree of nonspecific labeling by [3H]adenine with that derived from [3H]thymidine. Rapid catabolism of tritiated thymidine was evaluated by determining the disappearance of tritiated thymidine from the incubation medium and the appearance of degradation products by high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the cell-free medium. Degradation product formation, including that of both volatile and nonvolatile compounds, was much greater than the rate of incorporation of tritium into stable macromolecules. The standard degradation pathway for thymidine coupled with utilization of Krebs cycle intermediates for the biosynthesis of amino acids, purines, and pyrimidines readily accounts for the observed nonspecific labeling in environmental samples. PMID:16348180

Mechanisms for pressure-induced crystal-crystal transition, amorphization, and devitrification of SnI{sub 4}

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

Liu, H.; Tse, J. S., E-mail: john.tse@usask.ca; Hu, M. Y.

2015-10-28

The pressure-induced amorphization and subsequent recrystallization of SnI{sub 4} have been investigated using first principles molecular dynamics calculations together with high-pressure {sup 119}Sn nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. Above ∼8 GPa, we observe a transformation from an ambient crystalline phase to an intermediate crystal structure and a subsequent recrystallization into a cubic phase at ∼64 GPa. The crystalline-to-amorphous transition was identified on the basis of elastic compatibility criteria. The measured tin vibrational density of states shows large amplitude librations of SnI{sub 4} under ambient conditions. Although high pressure structures of SnI{sub 4} were thought to be determined by randommore » packing of equal-sized spheres, we detected electron charge transfer in each phase. This charge transfer results in a crystal structure packing determined by larger than expected iodine atoms.« less

Mechanisms for pressure-induced crystal-crystal transition, amorphization, and devitrification of Snl 4

DOE PAGES

Liu, Hanyu; Tse, John S.; Hu, Michael Y.; ...

2015-10-27

The pressure-induced amorphization and subsequent recrystallization of SnI 4 have been investigated using first principles molecular dynamics calculations together with high-pressure 119Sn nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. Above ~8 GPa, we observe a transformation from an ambient crystalline phase to an intermediate crystal structure and a subsequent recrystallization into a cubic phase at ~64 GPa. The crystalline-to-amorphous transition was identified on the basis of elastic compatibility criteria. The measured tin vibrational density of states shows large amplitude librations of SnI 4 under ambient conditions. Although high pressure structures of SnI 4 were thought to be determined by random packingmore » of equal-sized spheres, we detected electron charge transfer in each phase. As a result, this charge transfer results in a crystal structure packing determined by larger than expected iodine atoms. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.« less

Mechanisms for pressure-induced crystal-crystal transition, amorphization, and devitrification of SnI4.

PubMed

Liu, H; Tse, J S; Hu, M Y; Bi, W; Zhao, J; Alp, E E; Pasternak, M; Taylor, R D; Lashley, J C

2015-10-28

The pressure-induced amorphization and subsequent recrystallization of SnI4 have been investigated using first principles molecular dynamics calculations together with high-pressure (119)Sn nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. Above ∼8 GPa, we observe a transformation from an ambient crystalline phase to an intermediate crystal structure and a subsequent recrystallization into a cubic phase at ∼64 GPa. The crystalline-to-amorphous transition was identified on the basis of elastic compatibility criteria. The measured tin vibrational density of states shows large amplitude librations of SnI4 under ambient conditions. Although high pressure structures of SnI4 were thought to be determined by random packing of equal-sized spheres, we detected electron charge transfer in each phase. This charge transfer results in a crystal structure packing determined by larger than expected iodine atoms.

Polaron physics and crossover transition in magnetite probed by pressure-dependent infrared spectroscopy.

PubMed

Ebad-Allah, J; Baldassarre, L; Sing, M; Claessen, R; Brabers, V A M; Kuntscher, C A

2013-01-23

The optical properties of magnetite at room temperature were studied by infrared reflectivity measurements as a function of pressure up to 8 GPa. The optical conductivity spectrum consists of a Drude term, two sharp phonon modes, a far-infrared band at around 600 cm(-1) and a pronounced mid-infrared absorption band. With increasing pressure both absorption bands shift to lower frequencies and the phonon modes harden in a linear fashion. Based on the shape of the MIR band, the temperature dependence of the dc transport data, and the occurrence of the far-infrared band in the optical conductivity spectrum, the polaronic coupling strength in magnetite at room temperature should be classified as intermediate. For the lower energy phonon mode an abrupt increase of the linear pressure coefficient occurs at around 6 GPa, which could be attributed to minor alterations of the charge distribution among the different Fe sites.

Stability limits and transformation pathways of α-quartz under high pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Q. Y.; Shu, J.-F.; Yang, W. G.; Park, C.; Chen, M. W.; Fujita, T.; Mao, H.-K.; Sheng, H. W.

2017-03-01

Ubiquitous on Earth, α-quartz plays an important role in modern science and technology. However, despite extensive research in the past, the mechanism of the polymorphic transitions of α-quartz at high pressures remains poorly understood. Here, combining in situ single-crystal x-ray diffraction experiment and advanced ab initio modeling, we report two stability limits and competing transition pathways of α-quartz under high pressure. Under near-equilibrium compression conditions at room temperature, α-quartz transits to a new P 2 /c silica phase via a structural intermediate. If the thermally activated transition is kinetically suppressed, the ultimate stability of α-quartz is controlled by its phonon instability and α-quartz collapses into a different crystalline phase. Our studies reveal that pressure-induced solid-state transformation of α-quartz undergoes a succession of structural stability limits, due to thermodynamic and mechanical catastrophes, and exhibits a hierarchy of transition pathways contingent upon kinetic conditions.

Intense Mixing and Recirculations of Intermediate and Deep Water in the Northwest Argentine Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valla, D.; Piola, A. R.

2016-02-01

The sources of the South Atlantic upper and intermediate waters that form the upper layer flow needed to maintain mass balance due the export of North Atlantic Deep Water from the North Atlantic are still under debate. The "cold path" scheme postulates that intermediate waters are injected into the South Atlantic from the Pacific through the Drake Passage, advected north by the Malvinas Current up to the Brazil/Malvinas Confluence (BMC) and circulated around the basin following the path of the subtropical gyre. We report high-quality hydrographic observations collected in the South Atlantic western boundary at 34.5 °S during 7 hydrographic cruises as part of the SAMOC project. We focus on the flow and characteristics of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) and Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW). The water mass analysis indicates the presence of "young" (fresh and highly oxygenated) varieties of AAIW (S<34.2, O2>6 ml·l-1) which must be derived from south of the SAMOC array. This suggests an alternative pathway for intermediate waters that involves a short circuit beneath the BMC. Simultaneous full-depth velocity measurements using lowered acoustic Doppler current profilers confirm this hypothesis. The flow direction across the SAMOC array in the UCDW range inferred from dissolved oxygen measurements also indicate the presence of UCDW (O2<4.2 ml·l-1) derived from farther south. However, the wider range of oxygen concentrations suggests strong recirculations of both water masses within the northwestern Argentine Basin.

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

Sai K. Mylavarapu; Xiaodong Sun; Richard E. Glosup

In high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, such as a very high temperature reactor (VHTR), an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) is required to efficiently transfer the core thermal output to a secondary fluid for electricity generation with an indirect power cycle and/or process heat applications. Currently, there is no proven high-temperature (750–800 °C or higher) compact heat exchanger technology for high-temperature reactor design concepts. In this study, printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE), a potential IHX concept for high-temperature applications, has been investigated for their heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics under high operating temperatures and pressures. Two PCHEs, each having 10 hot andmore » 10 cold plates with 12 channels (semicircular cross-section) in each plate are fabricated using Alloy 617 plates and tested for their performance in a high-temperature helium test facility (HTHF). The PCHE inlet temperature and pressure were varied from 85 to 390 °C/1.0–2.7 MPa for the cold side and 208–790 °C/1.0–2.7 MPa for the hot side, respectively, while the mass flow rate of helium was varied from 15 to 49 kg/h. This range of mass flow rates corresponds to PCHE channel Reynolds numbers of 950 to 4100 for the cold side and 900 to 3900 for the hot side (corresponding to the laminar and laminar-to-turbulent transition flow regimes). The obtained experimental data have been analyzed for the pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of the heat transfer surface of the PCHEs and compared with the available models and correlations in the literature. In addition, a numerical treatment of hydrodynamically developing and hydrodynamically fully-developed laminar flow through a semicircular duct is presented. Relations developed for determining the hydrodynamic entrance length in a semicircular duct and the friction factor (or pressure drop) in the hydrodynamic entry length region for laminar flow through a semicircular duct are given. Various hydrodynamic entrance region parameters, such as incremental pressure drop number, apparent Fanning friction factor, and hydrodynamic entrance length in a semicircular duct have been numerically estimated.« less

Kinetic simulations of gas breakdown in the dense plasma focus

DOE PAGES

Bennett, N.; Blasco, M.; Breeding, K.; ...

2017-06-09

We describe the first fully-kinetic, collisional, and electromagnetic simulations of the breakdown phase of a MA-scale dense plasma focus and are shown to agree with measured electrical characteristics, including breakdown time. In the model, avalanche ionization is driven by cathode electron emission and this results in incomplete gas breakdown along the insulator. This reinforces the importance of the conditioning process that creates a metallic layer on the insulator surface. The simulations, nonetheless, help explain the relationship between the gas pressure, the insulator length, and the coaxial gap width. In the past, researchers noted three breakdown patterns related to pressure. Simulationmore » and analytic results show that at low pressures, long ionization path lengths lead to volumetric breakdown, while high pressures lead to breakdown across the relatively small coaxial electrode gap. In an intermediate pressure regime, ionization path lengths are comparable to the insulator length which promotes ideal breakdown along the insulator surface.« less

Explaining intermediate filament accumulation in giant axonal neuropathy

PubMed Central

Opal, Puneet; Goldman, Robert D.

2013-01-01

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN)1 is a rare autosomal recessive neurological disorder caused by mutations in the GAN gene that encodes gigaxonin, a member of the BTB/Kelch family of E3 ligase adaptor proteins.1 This disease is characterized by the aggregation of Intermediate Filaments (IF)—cytoskeletal elements that play important roles in cell physiology including the regulation of cell shape, motility, mechanics and intra-cellular signaling. Although a range of cell types are affected in GAN, neurons display the most severe pathology, with neuronal intermediate filament accumulation and aggregation; this in turn causes axonal swellings or “giant axons.” A mechanistic understanding of GAN IF pathology has eluded researchers for many years. In a recent study1 we demonstrate that the normal function of gigaxonin is to regulate the degradation of IF proteins via the proteasome. Our findings present the first direct link between GAN mutations and IF pathology; moreover, given the importance of IF aggregations in a wide range of disease conditions, our findings could have wider ramifications. PMID:25003002

Glutamatergic drive along the septo-temporal axis of hippocampus boosts prelimbic oscillations in the neonatal mouse

PubMed Central

Ahlbeck, Joachim; Song, Lingzhen; Chini, Mattia; Bitzenhofer, Sebastian H

2018-01-01

The long-range coupling within prefrontal-hippocampal networks that account for cognitive performance emerges early in life. The discontinuous hippocampal theta bursts have been proposed to drive the generation of neonatal prefrontal oscillations, yet the cellular substrate of these early interactions is still unresolved. Here, we selectively target optogenetic manipulation of glutamatergic projection neurons in the CA1 area of either dorsal or intermediate/ventral hippocampus at neonatal age to elucidate their contribution to the emergence of prefrontal oscillatory entrainment. We show that despite stronger theta and ripples power in dorsal hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex is mainly coupled with intermediate/ventral hippocampus by phase-locking of neuronal firing via dense direct axonal projections. Theta band-confined activation by light of pyramidal neurons in intermediate/ventral but not dorsal CA1 that were transfected by in utero electroporation with high-efficiency channelrhodopsin boosts prefrontal oscillations. Our data causally elucidate the cellular origin of the long-range coupling in the developing brain. PMID:29631696

Isothermal decay studies of intermediate energy levels in quartz.

PubMed

Veronese, I; Giussani, A; Göksu, H Y; Martini, M

2004-05-01

The recent interest in the thermoluminescence of quartz extracted from unfired building materials, such as mortar and concrete for dose reconstruction applications, led to the requirement of an accurate determination of the lifetime of the intermediate glow peaks in this mineral. The prediction of the lifetimes of these peaks is helpful in establishing the likely time range within which retrospective measurements can be carried out. These peaks, corresponding to intermediate energy levels, occur in the glow curve in the temperature range 150-250 degrees C (heating rate 2 degrees C/s). Lifetimes of 720+/-70 days and 580+/-70 years (at a temperature of 15 degrees C) were derived for the two main peaks placed in the glow curve at approximately 150 degrees C and 200 degrees C, respectively, using the isothermal decay technique. These results as well as the estimated values of the trap parameters (thermal activation energy and frequency factor) have been compared with the data already available in the literature.

IRAS 23385 & 6053: A Prototype Massive Class O Object

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Molinari, S.; Testi, L.; Brand, J.; Cesaroni, R.; Palla, F.

1998-01-01

The last few years have seen a rapid growth in observations aimed at identifying intermediate and high-mass star forming sites in a wide range of evolutionary stages ranging from Hot Cores to ultracompact regions, to proto-Ae/Be stars.

Equations of state and melting curve of boron carbide in the high-pressure range of shock compression

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

Molodets, A. M., E-mail: molodets@icp.ac.ru; Golyshev, A. A.; Shakhrai, D. V.

We have constructed the equations of state for crystalline boron carbide B{sub 11}C (C–B–C) and its melt under high dynamic and static pressures. A kink on the shock adiabat for boron carbide has been revealed in the pressure range near 100 GPa, and the melting curve with negative curvature in the pressure range 0–120 GPa has been calculated. The results have been used for interpreting the kinks on the shock adiabat for boron carbide in the pressure range of 0–400 GPa.

Quantitative analysis of autophagic flux by confocal pH-imaging of autophagic intermediates

PubMed Central

Maulucci, Giuseppe; Chiarpotto, Michela; Papi, Massimiliano; Samengo, Daniela; Pani, Giovambattista; De Spirito, Marco

2015-01-01

Although numerous techniques have been developed to monitor autophagy and to probe its cellular functions, these methods cannot evaluate in sufficient detail the autophagy process, and suffer limitations from complex experimental setups and/or systematic errors. Here we developed a method to image, contextually, the number and pH of autophagic intermediates by using the probe mRFP-GFP-LC3B as a ratiometric pH sensor. This information is expressed functionally by AIPD, the pH distribution of the number of autophagic intermediates per cell. AIPD analysis reveals how intermediates are characterized by a continuous pH distribution, in the range 4.5–6.5, and therefore can be described by a more complex set of states rather than the usual biphasic one (autophagosomes and autolysosomes). AIPD shape and amplitude are sensitive to alterations in the autophagy pathway induced by drugs or environmental states, and allow a quantitative estimation of autophagic flux by retrieving the concentrations of autophagic intermediates. PMID:26506895

Generalized thickness and configuration of the top of the intermediate aquifer, west-central Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Corral, Miguel A.; Wolansky, Richard M.

1984-01-01

Generalized map show the thickness and top of the intermediate aquifer in west-central Florida within the boundaries of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The intermediate aquifer consists of a series of water-bearing units and confining beds between the surficial aquifer (water table) and the Floridan aquifer. This aquifer contains from one to several water-bearing units in west-central Florida. The aquifer and confining beds consist of the Tamiami and Hawthorn Formations of late and middle Miocene age and parts of the Tampa Limestone of early Miocene age. The top of the intermediate aquifer is about 100 feet above sea level in the north and slopes to about 100 feet below sea level in the south. The thickness ranges from zero in the north to more than 600 feet in the south. Despite the high mineral content of the water in some areas, the intermediate aquifer offers the best source of ground water to the coastal and southern areas of west-central Florida. (USGS)

Pressure dependence of the magnetic ground states in MnP

DOE PAGES

Matsuda, Masaaki; Ye, Feng; Dissanayake, Sachith E.; ...

2016-03-17

MnP, a superconductor under pressure, exhibits a ferromagnetic order below TC~290 K followed by a helical order with the spins lying in the ab plane and the helical rotation propagating along the c axis below Ts~50 K at ambient pressure. We performed single-crystal neutron diffraction experiments to determine the magnetic ground states under pressure. Both TC and Ts are gradually suppressed with increasing pressure and the helical order disappears at ~1.2 GPa. At intermediate pressures of 1.8 and 2.0 GPa, the ferromagnetic order first develops and changes to a conical or two-phase (ferromagnetic and helical) structure with the propagation alongmore » the b axis below a characteristic temperature. At 3.8 GPa, a helical magnetic order appears below 208 K, which hosts the spins in the ac plane and the propagation along the b axis. The period of this b axis modulation is shorter than that at 1.8 GPa. Here, our results indicate that the magnetic phase in the vicinity of the superconducting phase may have a helical magnetic correlation along the b axis.« less

Pressure-induced valence change and moderate heavy fermion state in Eu-compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Honda, Fuminori; Okauchi, Keigo; Sato, Yoshiki; Nakamura, Ai; Akamine, Hiromu; Ashitomi, Yosuke; Hedo, Masato; Nakama, Takao; Takeuchi, Tetsuya; Valenta, Jaroslav; Prchal, Jiri; Sechovský, Vladimir; Aoki, Dai; Ōnuki, Yoshichika

2018-05-01

A pressure-induced valence transition has attracted much attention in Eu-compounds. Among them, EuRh2Si2, EuNi2Ge2, and EuCo2Ge2 reveal the valence transition around 1, 2, and 3 GPa, respectively. We have succeeded in growing single crystals of EuT2X2 (T: transition metal, X: Si, Ge) and studied electronic properties under pressure. EuRh2Si2 indicates a first-order valence transition between 1 and 2 GPa, with a large and prominent hysteresis in the electrical resistivity. At higher pressures, the first-order valence transition changes to a cross-over regime with an intermediate valence state. Tuning of the valence state with pressure is reflected in a drastic change of the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity in EuRh2Si2 single crystals. Effect of pressure on the valence states on EuRh2Si2, EuIr2Si2, EuNi2Ge2, and EuCo2Ge2, as well as an isostructural related compound EuGa4, are reviewed.

Sources of financial pressure and up coding behavior in French public hospitals.

PubMed

Georgescu, Irène; Hartmann, Frank G H

2013-05-01

Drawing upon role theory and the literature concerning unintended consequences of financial pressure, this study investigates the effects of health care decision pressure from the hospital's administration and from the professional peer group on physician's inclination to engage in up coding. We explore two kinds of up coding, information-related and action-related, and develop hypothesis that connect these kinds of data manipulation to the sources of pressure via the intermediate effect of role conflict. Qualitative data from initial interviews with physicians and subsequent questionnaire evidence from 578 physicians in 14 French hospitals suggest that the source of pressure is a relevant predictor of physicians' inclination to engage in data-manipulation. We further find that this effect is partly explained by the extent to which these pressures create role conflict. Given the concern about up coding in treatment-based reimbursement systems worldwide, our analysis adds to understanding how the design of the hospital's management control system may enhance this undesired type of behavior. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Relationship quality: effects on ambulatory blood pressure and negative affect in a biracial sample of men and women.

PubMed

Grewen, Karen M; Girdler, Susan S; Light, Kathleen C

2005-06-01

Prospective studies link marriage to better cardiovascular health, but marital dissatisfaction and discord predict increased rates of hypertension, higher blood pressure (BP), greater reactivity to stress, and left ventricular mass. To determine and compare effects of partner status and relationship quality on 24-h BP, urinary norepinephrine and cortisol, and self-reported stress and negative affect. Ambulatory BP (ABP) and 24-h urine collections were obtained during a typical work day in 325 adults, including 139 African Americans (AAs). Participants cohabiting with a spouse or partner were classified into high, intermediate and low relationship quality (RQ) groups and compared to those without partners (Alone). Mean ABP was nearly identical in participants with versus without partners (125.7/76.9 versus 125.9/76.7 mmHg). High RQ subjects had lower mean waking ABP than intermediate/low RQ and Alone groups [systolic blood pressure (SBP), F=3.45; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), F=3.38, P-values <0.05]. High RQ was related to lower SBP and DBP in African Americans, and to lower SBP in Whites. High RQ was also linked to lower SBP and DBP in men, and to lower SBP in women. High RQ subjects reported less negative affect and stress than all other groups (P<0.05). Norepinephrine was lower in partnered versus Alone women regardless of RQ status. Relationship quality is a better predictor of daily BP, affect and stress than partner status. High RQ is linked to lower ABP across race and gender. This reduced ABP may be due, in part, to the stress buffering effects of better RQ and/or the stress enhancing effects of poor RQ.

Accuracy of tissue Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis of new-onset congestive heart failure in patients with levels of B-type natriuretic peptide in the midrange and normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

PubMed

Arques, Stephane; Roux, Emmanuel; Sbragia, Pascal; Pieri, Bertrand; Gelisse, Richard; Ambrosi, Pierre; Luccioni, Roger

2006-09-01

Based on the hypothesis that it reflects left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressures, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is largely utilized as first-line diagnostic complement in the emergency diagnosis of congestive heart failure (HF). The incremental diagnostic value of tissue Doppler echocardiography, a reliable noninvasive estimate of LV filling pressures, has been reported in patients with preserved LV ejection fraction and discrepancy between BNP levels and the clinical judgment, however, its clinical validity in such patients in the presence of BNP concentrations in the midrange, which may reflect intermediate, nondiagnostic levels of LV filling pressures, is unknown. 34 patients without history of HF, presenting with acute dyspnea at rest, BNP levels of 100-400 pg/ml and normal LV ejection fraction were prospectively enrolled (17 with congestive HF and 17 with noncardiac cause). Tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed within 3 hours after admission. Unlike BNP (P = 0.78), Boston criteria (P = 0.0129), radiographic pulmonary edema (P = 0.0036) and average E/Ea ratio (P = 0.0032) were predictive of congestive HF by logistic regression analysis. In this clinical setting, radiographic pulmonary edema had a positive predictive value of 80% in the diagnosis of congestive HF. In patients without evidence of radiographic pulmonary edema, average E/Ea > 10 was a powerful predictor of congestive HF (area under the ROC curve of 0.886, P < 0.001, sensitivity 100% and specificity 78.6%). By better reflecting LV filling pressures, bedside tissue Doppler echocardiography accurately differentiates congestive HF from noncardiac cause in dyspneic patients with intermediate, nondiagnostic BNP levels and normal LV ejection fraction.

Concept of turbines for ultrasupercritical, supercritical, and subcritical steam conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhailov, V. E.; Khomenok, L. A.; Pichugin, I. I.; Kovalev, I. A.; Bozhko, V. V.; Vladimirskii, O. A.; Zaitsev, I. V.; Kachuriner, Yu. Ya.; Nosovitskii, I. A.; Orlik, V. G.

2017-11-01

The article describes the design features of condensing turbines for ultrasupercritical initial steam conditions (USSC) and large-capacity cogeneration turbines for super- and subcritical steam conditions having increased steam extractions for district heating purposes. For improving the efficiency and reliability indicators of USSC turbines, it is proposed to use forced cooling of the head high-temperature thermally stressed parts of the high- and intermediate-pressure rotors, reaction-type blades of the high-pressure cylinder (HPC) and at least the first stages of the intermediate-pressure cylinder (IPC), the double-wall HPC casing with narrow flanges of its horizontal joints, a rigid HPC rotor, an extended system of regenerative steam extractions without using extractions from the HPC flow path, and the low-pressure cylinder's inner casing moving in accordance with the IPC thermal expansions. For cogeneration turbines, it is proposed to shift the upper district heating extraction (or its significant part) to the feedwater pump turbine, which will make it possible to improve the turbine plant efficiency and arrange both district heating extractions in the IPC. In addition, in the case of using a disengaging coupling or precision conical bolts in the coupling, this solution will make it possible to disconnect the LPC in shifting the turbine to operate in the cogeneration mode. The article points out the need to intensify turbine development efforts with the use of modern methods for improving their efficiency and reliability involving, in particular, the use of relatively short 3D blades, last stages fitted with longer rotor blades, evaporation techniques for removing moisture in the last-stage diaphragm, and LPC rotor blades with radial grooves on their leading edges.

An approximate Riemann solver for hypervelocity flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobs, Peter A.

1991-01-01

We describe an approximate Riemann solver for the computation of hypervelocity flows in which there are strong shocks and viscous interactions. The scheme has three stages, the first of which computes the intermediate states assuming isentropic waves. A second stage, based on the strong shock relations, may then be invoked if the pressure jump across either wave is large. The third stage interpolates the interface state from the two initial states and the intermediate states. The solver is used as part of a finite-volume code and is demonstrated on two test cases. The first is a high Mach number flow over a sphere while the second is a flow over a slender cone with an adiabatic boundary layer. In both cases the solver performs well.

Influence of Reynolds Number on the Unsteady Aerodynamics of Integrated Aggressive Intermediate Turbine Duct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hongrui; Liu, Jun; Ji, Lucheng; Du, Qiang; Liu, Guang; Wang, Pei

2018-06-01

The ultra-high bypass ratio turbofan engine attracts more and more attention in modern commercial engine due to advantages of high efficiency and low Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC). One of the characteristics of ultra-high bypass ratio turbofan is the intermediate turbine duct which guides the flow leaving high pressure turbine (HPT) to low pressure turbine (LPT) at a larger diameter, and this kind of design will lead to aggressive intermediate turbine duct (AITD) design concept. Thus, it is important to design the AITD without any severe loss. From the unsteady flow's point of view, in actual operating conditions, the incoming wake generated by HPT is unsteady which will take influence on boundary layer's transition within the ITD and LPT. In this paper, the three-dimensional unsteady aerodynamics of an AITD taken from a real engine is studied. The results of fully unsteady three-dimensional numerical simulations, performed with ANSYS-CFX (RANS simulation with transitional model), are critically evaluated against experimental data. After validation of the numerical model, the physical mechanisms inside the flow channel are analyzed, with an aim to quantify the sensitivities of different Reynolds number effect on both the ITD and LPT nozzle. Some general physical mechanisms can be recognized in the unsteady environment. It is recognized that wake characteristics plays a crucial role on the loss within both the ITD and LPT nozzle section, determining both time-averaged and time-resolved characteristics of the flow field. Meanwhile, particular attention needs to be paid to the unsteady effect on the boundary layer of LPT nozzle's suction side surface.

Conformational plasticity of DM43, a metalloproteinase inhibitor from Didelphis marsupialis: chemical and pressure-induced equilibrium (un)folding studies.

PubMed

Chapeaurouge, Alex; Martins, Samantha M; Holub, Oliver; Rocha, Surza L G; Valente, Richard H; Neves-Ferreira, Ana G C; Ferreira, Sérgio T; Domont, Gilberto B; Perales, Jonas

2009-10-01

We have investigated the folding of DM43, a homodimeric metalloproteinase inhibitor isolated from the serum of the South American opossum Didelphis marsupialis. Denaturation of the protein induced by GdnHCl (guanidine hydrochloride) was monitored by extrinsic and intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. While the equilibrium (un)folding of DM43 followed by tryptophan fluorescence was well described by a cooperative two-state transition, bis-ANS (4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-disulfonic acid) fluorescence measurements revealed an intensity maximum at the midpoint of the unfolding transition (2 M GdnHCl), indicating a partially folded intermediate state. We further investigated the DM43 intermediate stabilized at 2 M GdnHCl using size exclusion chromatography. This analysis revealed that the folding intermediate can be best described as partially folded DM43 monomers. Thermodynamic analysis of the GdnHCl-induced denaturation of DM43 revealed Gibbs free-energy changes of 13.57 kcal/mol for dimer dissociation and 1.86 kcal/mol for monomer unfolding, pointing to a critical role of dimerization as a determinant of the structure and stability of this protein. In addition, by using hydrostatic pressure (up to 3.5 kbar) we were able to stabilize partially folded states different from those stabilized in the presence of GdnHCl. Taken together, these results indicate that the conformational plasticity of DM43 could provide this protein with the ability to adapt its conformation to a variety of different environments and biological partners during its biological lifetime.